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Coronavirus: What's the risk of taking buses or trains? Coronavirus: What's the risk on public transport?
(about 2 months later)
As the coronavirus continues to spread, governments have restricted travel. Since the UK went into lockdown, there have been reduced services on trains, buses and planes, and the government has advised against all but essential travel.
There have been reduced services on trains, buses and planes, and the UK government has advised against all but essential travel. Now, with restrictions being eased in England, more people are being encouraged back to work.
The BBC has been receiving questions about whether it is safe to take public transport. The government says they should avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive instead.
Trains and buses But if they can't, what are the risks of taking the bus or train?
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. How safe are train and bus travel?
These can be breathed in, or can cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, and then touch your face with unwashed hands. A lot of the potential risk of infection on trains and buses depends on how crowded they are, and so how far away you can keep from other people. This applies both on the vehicles and at stops and stations, and will vary in different parts of the country and on different routes.
As a result, government advice is to avoid being within two metres of an infected person. Ventilation also plays an important role as fresh air can help droplets containing the virus dissipate faster, so being able to open a window can be an advantage.
So a lot of the potential risk of infection on trains and buses depends on how crowded they are, and this will vary in different parts of the country and on different routes. Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales small droplets packed with the virus into the air.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been critical of Transport for London for not running more Tube trains to reduce crowding. TfL responded that staff sickness and self-isolation meant that it could not safely run a full service. These droplets can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object.
The government's consistent message has been to stay 2m (more than 6ft) apart from people outside your household.
Previous research has suggested a link between commuting on the London Underground and the likelihood of catching respiratory illnesses.Previous research has suggested a link between commuting on the London Underground and the likelihood of catching respiratory illnesses.
Dr Lara Gosce, at the Institute of Global Health, says her research (published in 2018) showed people who used the Underground regularly were more likely to suffer flu-like symptoms.Dr Lara Gosce, at the Institute of Global Health, says her research (published in 2018) showed people who used the Underground regularly were more likely to suffer flu-like symptoms.
"Particularly, it shows that boroughs served by fewer lines - where inhabitants are forced to change line one or more times when travelling on the Underground - have higher rates of influenza-like diseases, compared to well-served boroughs where passengers reach their destination by one direct trip," she said."Particularly, it shows that boroughs served by fewer lines - where inhabitants are forced to change line one or more times when travelling on the Underground - have higher rates of influenza-like diseases, compared to well-served boroughs where passengers reach their destination by one direct trip," she said.
If you're travelling on a relatively empty train or bus, though, your risks would be different. How well vehicles are ventilated and how long you spend on them will also play a role. If you're travelling on a relatively empty train or bus, though, your risks would be different. How long you spend on transport will also play a role - spending more time in contact, and coming into contact with more people will increase your risk.
Train operating companies are running reduced services for people who have to travel and checking carriages more often to see if they need cleaning. So, "limiting the number of close contacts with potentially infected individuals and objects is important," according to Dr Gosce.
Network Rail, which operates British rail tracks and stations, has announced that it is cleaning surfaces such as handrails and ticket machines more often, as well as making sure that station toilets are stocked with soap.
Major bus operator Arriva has cut back on the frequency of its services but is also stepping up its cleaning regime to concentrate on surfaces that are most touched by passengers.
Transport for London, which has closed 40 Tube stations, says it has stepped up the cleaning regime on its network, including using a hospital grade anti-viral disinfectant.
According to Dr Gosce, "limiting the number of close contacts with potentially infected individuals and objects is important".
"In terms of travel, avoid peak hours if possible," she says, suggesting, where viable, passengers should choose routes involving only one means of transport."In terms of travel, avoid peak hours if possible," she says, suggesting, where viable, passengers should choose routes involving only one means of transport.
Planes What is the advice for passengers?
The main concern about air travel, especially early in the outbreak, was how it could transport potentially infectious people from one part of the world to another. The government says people should "consider all other forms of transport before using public transport". If they can't walk, cycle or drive to their destination, they are advised to:
Many airlines around the world have been suspending, consolidating or rescheduling flights and some airports have been shut. The government acknowledges that there may be situations where people can't keep 2m away from each other, such as at busy times or getting on or off public transport. In these cases, the advice is to avoid physical contact and face away from others.
The UK government has advised people to avoid non-essential international travel and encouraged UK residents to return to the UK as soon as possible. Governments in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also recommended people wear face coverings on public transport.
If you have to fly, it's a common belief that you are more likely to become ill on an aeroplane, because you're breathing "stale" air. The Welsh government has said people can choose to wear them, but adds the evidence is "not strong enough" to make them mandatory.
In fact, the air on a plane may well be better quality than in the average office (and almost certainly better than a train or a bus). Face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances. In particular, they are to stop the wearer passing on coronavirus, rather than protecting them from others.
There are more people per square foot on a busy plane, which can increase the risk, but the air is also being changed at a faster rate. What safety measures are travel operators taking?
But it's difficult to generalise about the risks on any form of transport because there are various factors that increase or decrease the risk. Transport networks around the country are enhancing their safety measures to protect staff and passengers.
The usual advice applies - wash your hands, clean surfaces where possible and sneeze and cough into a tissue. Arriva Buses is only accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments.
Transport for London is installing hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule.
It says it will only be able to carry 13-15% of its normal number of passengers on the Underground and buses.
On Wednesday morning, national rail reported a 10% rise in passengers compared with the same time last week.
London's Tube saw a 7.3% rise, with 83,293 journeys by 10am. But this was a fraction of normal passenger volume, which saw 1.2m journeys by 10am on the same day last year.
What is the situation around the UK?
People in England who are allowed to return to work have been asked not to use public transport if possible.
People in Wales have been told to avoid it. where possible.
Limited public transport services are running in Scotland for people who absolutely need to get to work and the situation is similar in Northern Ireland.