Careful, These Actions Will Be Soon Banned on Subways in China

Source: China Daily, CNN

China is cracking down on bad subway etiquette.

State-run newspaper China Daily reports that eating, drinking, standing on seats, playing music on speakers, lying down and other "uncivilized behaviors" will be banned on all of the country's subways from April 1, 2020.

There will be an exception to the "no eating and drinking" rule for people who have medical conditions and for babies and small children.

The Ministry of Transport approved the new guidelines on October 29. This is the first time China has enacted subway legislation that affects the entire country. Previously, it was up to specific cities and regions to set their own guidelines.

For instance, Beijing already enacted its own ban on food and drink on the subway -- as well as on platforms and in station elevators -- in 2015. There, violators can be fined 500 yuan ($70).

"Providing safe and convenient travel services for passengers is always the fundamental starting point and the foothold of urban subway transit," reads a release from the Ministry of Transport. "It's important to roll out the managing regulation of urban subway organization and service from the national level."

While the new nation-wide subway laws will go into effect next year, it's not clear what penalties rule breakers will face. It's also unclear how people with medical conditions who are exempt from these rules will be verified.

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