Working hours to shift for Olympics

[July 14, 2008]  BEIJING (AP) -- Public institutions in Beijing will soon start work an hour later than normal in a plan to ease traffic congestion during the Olympic Games, state media said Monday.

Working hours in Beijing will change from July 20 in a bid to spread out morning traffic by staggering office openings and to reduce pollution, the China Daily newspaper said.

The government also is encouraging people to work flexible hours or work from home if possible, it said.

Working hours for companies will be set from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Public institutions will begin work at 9:30 a.m., one hour later than normal. Shopping malls will open no earlier than 10 a.m. and stay open longer, until 10 p.m. or even later.

Schools, administrative bodies and essential service sectors are exempt from the changes, the paper said.

Beijing has announced a string of temporary measures to control its air pollution before the games start Aug. 8.

Also on July 20, cars with odd and even number plates will only be allowed on the roads on alternate days. Drivers violating the rule will be fined $15.

Beijing has spent more than $15 billion on anti-pollution measures for the Olympics, such as relocating factories and expanding its subway network, the China Daily said.

[Associated Press]

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