Expect Long Lines, More Security on Metro During Party Congress

By Justine Lopez

Security is being ramped up around the capital ahead of the Party Congress, and it's already having a huge impact on the Beijing metro. Starting today, all passengers will be required to have full-body checks and all packages and bags will be scanned, Beijing's subway management company announced. Passengers are being warned that there will likely be increased wait times for the Beijing metro throughout the duration of the meeting, which starts Wednesday, October 18.       

Police dogs have been spotted at some Beijing stations

During the plenum, some subway stations will also limit the number of passengers and will direct extra passengers to line up outside of the station.

The Beijing Metro is urging Beijingers to avoid taking the subway during peak hours. Passengers are also being advised not to bring any liquids onto the subway in order to avoid extra checks and increased wait times.

READ MORE: Increased Security Causes Insanely Long Lines for Beijing Subway

These heightened security checks have already caused mayhem at subway stations around the capital. Photos taken at Longze Subway Station (Line 13), where these new security measures were tested yesterday, showed massive lines and painstaking wait times as hundreds of passengers attempted to get on the subway.

Long lines at Longze station on Monday morning

Even though the Party Congress doesn't officially start until tomorrow, tight security is already impacting Beijingers in all sorts of ways. Airbnb's will be unavailable until the end of the month and numerous live music venues and clubs have closed for the next two weeks.

Over 2,000 delegates will gather in Beijing for the plenum, which occurs every five years. An end date has yet to be announced. 

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