Authorities in cities neighboring Beijing have followed the capital's lead in offering extra holidays to public sector staff and imposing traffic restrictions in a bid to reduce air pollution during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

Government workers in 10 county-level regions of Langfang and Baoding, north China's Hebei Province, will begin a six-day holiday tomorrow, local authorities said.

In return, the affected staff members were required to work last Sunday and will be required to do so also on November 15.

Meanwhile, in the cities of Shijiazhuang, Langfang, Baoding, Xingtai and Handan, which boast some of the worst air quality in the country, authorities have introduced new traffic restrictions based on license plates. From next week, drivers will be allowed into the cities only on alternate days, depending on whether their plates end with an odd or even number.

A similar ban will be introduced in Tianjin, and the Hebei cities of Tangshan, Cangzhou and Hengshui from today.

The APEC summit starts in Beijing today and runs through Tuesday. The leaders' meeting is on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, officials at Beijing Capital Airport yesterday asked travelers to arrive early during the APEC meetings to allow time for stricter security checks.

"Please arrive as early as possible so there is enough time for the security checks," it said.

Passengers are also advised to carry only small bags so they can pass through the checks more quickly, it said.

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