Beijing Municipal Government has issued a notice on staggering working hours in the capital city during the Beijing Olympic Games to ease traffic pressure, and they went into effect on July 20, 2008.
According to the notice, from July 20 to September 20, working hours of state-owned enterprises in Beijing will be adjusted to 09:00 and 17:00. Large department stores and shopping centers will open at 10:00 and be able to close later than normal, though the exact times have not been specified. Other institutions and social organizations will start work at 09:00 and be off at 17:30.
In addition, working online and flexible working hours have been encouraged.
Working hours of Beijing municipal party committees of all levels, the government and its subordinates, municipal people's congresses and CPPCCs at all levels, schools, departments and organizations providing essential services will remain unchanged.
