Beijing issues first red alert for smog

China's capital Beijing on Monday upgraded its alert for air pollution from orange to red, the most serious level.

This is the first time the capital has issued the red alert, which will last from 7.00 a.m. Tuesday to 12.00 p.m. Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the city's emergency management headquarters, during a red alert, kindergartens, primary and high schools are advised to suspend classes, outdoor operations of construction sites are banned and some industrial plants are required to limit or stop production.

Car use will be limited as cars are allowed on the roads on alternating days depending on the odd or even numbers of their licence plates. In addition, 30 percent of government cars will be banned from streets on an odd/even basis.

According to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Centre, heavy air pollution will linger until Thursday. It is expected to disperse Thursday afternoon as a cold front is set to arrive.

This is the first time Beijing has issued a red alert for smog since 2013 when Beijing adopted an emergency response programme for air pollution.