Shanghai police said on Wednesday that people who need to leave the city by driving car must apply for a permit, which will be valid for six hours starting from the stipulated departure time.

People can apply for a permit at their community committees. The permit will be approved and issued by the corresponding subdistrict or township government.

Students and teachers can apply for the permit at their schools, while companies dispatching staff to areas outside Shanghai must have their applications approved by administrative bodies at municipal or district level.

For people who are living in Shanghai temporarily, the applications should be sent to the subdistrict government of their temporary residence.