Tense in Beijing, China under 'Heavy Snow Warning'... School Closures and Staggered Work Hours Implemented

Amid forecasts of heavy snowfall in central and eastern China, Beijing authorities announced that they encourage school closures and staggered work hours for businesses within the city.

According to local media including Beijing Daily on the 13th, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued a heavy snow warning at 10 p.m. the previous day, and the Beijing Municipal Education Commission announced that from the 13th, temporary home study measures for students will be implemented. Accordingly, many kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and vocational schools in Beijing have decided to switch to online classes.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the meteorological forecast, heavy snow and storms are expected in some areas of Beijing from this day until the 15th, and authorities recommend using buses and subways. They also urged people to refrain from using bicycles and electric bikes as much as possible.

Primary and secondary schools and kindergartens will switch classes to home study or online learning, and companies and institutions are encouraged to adopt staggered working hours and flexible work arrangements. Additionally, non-essential outdoor work or gatherings should be avoided, and urban operation support units must have emergency response teams on standby in advance to be ready for urgent situations.

Furthermore, it was announced that potentially dangerous structures such as school gymnasiums, buildings, agricultural greenhouses, and temporary structures with risk of collapse should have the snow accumulated on top carefully inspected and promptly removed. Mountainous scenic spots will be temporarily closed, and other large outdoor recreational facilities in the city will also suspend operations temporarily.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.