Expo Volunteers, Security, And The Shanghai Metro

Something’s brewing in the metro in Shanghai today.

Aside from the sudden sprout of the Expo volunteer stations or information booths…

…now this is what they meant when they said there will be a lot of Expo off-site volunteers needed during the World Expo duration.

The sign says “Walk on the left, stand on the right.” For the number of people passing by People’s Square everyday (I myself included), I don’t think people really minded them unless you have all the time in the world.

Security in the metro suddenly tightened too. Before, I could just swift through the entrance/x-ray gates even with my not-so-small bag. But I tried that last week, and the security guard literally blocked his hand in front of me. I could have cried sexual harassment, but no one would have cared or noticed anyway. They were like 5 of them including the lady inspectors.

Still, don’t you think this has potential to be a ringtone for your mobile phone? TIP: You have to repeat this over and over again.

The Beijing Railway Station has also implemented security checks to ensure the safety during the Shanghai World Expo. From today until November 15, packages brought aboard the train are all subject to stringent measures.

It is understood that  items such as knives, hammers, and scissors can not be brought inside the train. This notice was actually posted just yesterday at the entrance of the station. According to the notice, aside from the banned items such as the flammable, explosives, poisonous, corrosives, radioactive, infectious pathogens, firearms, and ammunitions, all kinds of knives like kitchen knives, fruit knives, and even craft knives are not allowed at all. Hammers and other blunt items (long objects?) are also not allowed.

So probably that’s why my umbrella was confiscated when I went to the first day trial-run of the World Expo.

Real names must be used too in all parcels. No fake names. No pen names. No misnomers.

A group of journalists were at the Beijing Railway Station 1pm yesterday and became witnessed  to more than one armed policemen patrolling the area. The notice is also posted in every ticket window in the station. Identity cards and clearances can be randomly checked too.