India tightens curbs as air pollution turns 'severe'

Sakshi Dayal - Reuters - 17/12
India has tightened restrictions aimed at helping the public cope with pollution twice in 24 hours for New Delhi and its surrounding regions after a deterioration in air quality.
NEW DELHI, Dec 17 (Reuters) - India has tightened restrictions aimed at helping the public cope with pollution twice in 24 hours for New Delhi and its surrounding regions after a deterioration in air quality.
The latest recommendations for Tuesday were issued late Monday after the air quality index (AQI) reading rose above 400 on a scale of 0 to 500, turning 'severe'. That prompted an emergency meeting of the government body tasked with managing pollution.
Earlier on Monday, the recommendations for hybrid classes - both online and in-person - were limited to classes up to grade 5 but were later extended to all classes except grades 10 and 12.
An initial directive that government offices stagger work hours was also broadened to a request that all offices allow 50% of...
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