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Beijing employees to get Olympic day off
Wednesday, 6 August, 2008
The Beijing city government says it has given employees in the Chinese capital one day off Friday, when the 2008 Games opens, to "share the happiness of the Olympics."
The State Council, or cabinet, has approved a plan to grant a holiday on August 8 for staff of government agencies, state-owned companies and associations, the city government said on its website.
The decision is likely to also further reduce rush-hour gridlock in Beijing before the 8:08 pm (2208 AEST) opening on Friday.
The city has imposed a rule to cut traffic during the Olympics by banning cars with odd- and even-numbered licence plates from taking to the streets on alternate days between July 20 and September 20.
Source: AAP
