Silence Enforced for StudentsBeijing students studying hard for their college entrance exams in July can expect peace and quiet.New noise hotlines initiated by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) pledges to deal with complaints within 24 hours. SEPA announced in a circular yesterday that environmental protection bureaus at various levels will keep strict surveillance on noise sources. Punishment will be meted out to those "restless" noise makers during the coming entrance examination period scheduled on July 7-9. Hotlines will be set up to solicit complaints on noise that could disturb students' preparation for the pending examination, according to the circular. "Noise could mess things up for students who are concentrating on the examination and are at a turning point in their life," said Meng Fanli, division director of SEPA's information department. The circular said local environmental officials and traffic police could impose temporary traffic controls and bans on construction at night. Officials said entertainment centers and residential areas should strictly follow the circular and limit their noise to the minimum level. During the three-day examination period, local environmental officials will be stationed at test centers to monitor noise sources, the circular said. Local public security and education departments will also support the environmental officials to facilitate a peaceful environment for exam nominees. |
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