Beijing to impose 'odd-even' car ban system during heavy pollution days

Chinese capital Beijing has decided to implement odd and even licence plate restrictions on its four million private cars to reduce worsening pollution levels.

The new system will allow vehicles with odd licence plate numbers on roads on one day, and vehicles with even numbers the next day, the BBC reports.

Private cars are considered to be a major source of the city's air pollution, the report added.

The new system will give out four different degrees of air pollution warning, like blue, yellow, amber and red.

The Amber warning will apply to factories, construction and building sites, restaurants with an open-air barbecues and a ban on fireworks.

The red warning will be issued when the new car restriction measure has to be implemented, and schools and kindergartens will also be closed.