The heavy fog that had hovered over Beijing for the past three days began to retreat yesterday afternoon.

The city's traffic was not severely disrupted by the relatively low visibility.

A source with the local traffic administration said there was no apparent increase in traffic jams in the capital thanks to many people not using their cars.

Several highways linking Beijing to other provinces and cities had been temporarily shut during each of the foggy mornings, but were opened after visibility reached more than 500 meters.

Drivers were warned to avoid travelling during rush hour in fog and stay at a safe speed.

The weather had a minimal impact on flights to and from the Beijing Capital International Airport, although some passengers were delayed for a couple of hours on Sunday and on Thursday.

Airport management said flights would only really be affected if fog became extremely thick. Regardless, passengers have been advised to consult airport departments before heading to the airport to ensure their flights are running as scheduled

The heavy fog greatly lowered Beijing's air quality, resulting in larger numbers of people with respiratory problems going to hospital.

Medical experts suggest people with difficulties should try to avoid outdoor activities under the circumstances.

(China Daily February 26, 2003)