Kindergartens, elementary and middle schools in Beijing were yesterday told to suspend all outdoor activities as officials issued an orange smog alert — the second highest — for the coming week.

Students are doing exercises in the classroom as officials issued an orange smog alert for the coming week.[Photo/Shanghai Daily]

The ban, which will mean a suspension of activity at construction sites, will remain in place at least through Wednesday, the city's education commission said.

Classroom activities should be suitably adjusted after being approved by the district-level education commission, it said.

The National Meteorological Center said yesterday the smog had begun to cover large parts of northern and central China and will cause medium to heavy air pollution over the coming days.

Air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area will be affected tomorrow and Wednesday, but it is unlikely to be as bad as it was last week, forecasters said.

Much of the pollution in Beijing and its surrounding areas is caused by vehicle emissions and coal burning by heavy industries.

As well as the school closures, some students in the capital have been given the option to study at home, while the Beijing Digital School said it will deliver some of its classes online.

Meanwhile, China's Environment Minister Chen Jining yesterday vowed to punish agencies and officials that fail to initiate emergency response plans in a timely manner.

Local environment protection agencies, especially those in Beijing, Tianjing, Hebei, Shandong, Henan and Shanxi, which are set to experience the worst of the pollution, should examine their emergency response measures and rectify any problems, he said at a meeting to discuss the issue.

Local governments should be prepared for the worst possible outcomes, and strict standards and practical work styles should be adopted, he said.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has dispatched inspection teams to regions with heavy pollution to ensure emergency plans are launched on time.

They will also monitor and control the sources of pollution, such as coal burning, and enhance the management of vehicles that do not meet national emission standards.

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