Beijing declares first air-pollution red alert as smog settles over capital

City officials in Beijing declared an air-pollution red alert for the first time on Monday in the face of another front of toxic smog, The New York Times reported. If properly enforced the measure would close schools from 7 am to noon on Tuesday, limit the number of civilian cars allowed to be driven, ban outdoor grilling in the capital and force government agencies to keep 30% of their vehicles off the street. Officials did not explain the timing of the announcement, which came at 6:30 pm a full day after the latest spell of haze had already settled over the city of more than 20 million.