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Coronavirus: What's the risk on public transport? Coronavirus: What's the risk on public transport?
(30 days later)
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. During lockdown there have been reduced services on trains and buses but with restrictions being eased and more people being encouraged to return to work passenger demand is expected to increase.
Now, with restrictions being eased in England, more people are being encouraged back to work. From Monday 15 June, anyone travelling on public transport in England should wear a face covering - to help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
The government says they should avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive instead. The government has advised people to walk, cycle or drive but if that's not possible what are the risks of getting Covid-19 on public transport?
But if they can't, what are the risks of taking the bus or train? How safe are trains and buses?
How safe are train and bus travel?
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.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.
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.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.
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales small droplets packed with the virus into the air.Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales small droplets packed with the virus into the air.
These droplets can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object.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.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 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.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.
So, "limiting the number of close contacts with potentially infected individuals and objects is important," according to Dr Gosce.So, "limiting the number of close contacts with potentially infected individuals and objects is important," according to Dr Gosce.
"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.
What is the advice for passengers?What is the advice for passengers?
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: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:
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 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.
Governments in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also recommended people wear face coverings on public transport. Face coverings will be compulsory for people on public transport in England from 15 June (children under 11, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties will be exempt).
The Welsh government has said people can choose to wear them, but adds the evidence is "not strong enough" to make them mandatory. Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are asking people to wear them on public transport but are not making their use mandatory.
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.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.
What safety measures are travel operators taking?What safety measures are travel operators taking?
Transport networks around the country are enhancing their safety measures to protect staff and passengers. Transport companies have been enhancing their safety measures to protect staff and passengers.
Arriva Buses is only accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments. Transport for London (TfL) says from Monday, customers should wear face coverings at stations and for their entire journeys.
Transport for London is installing hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule. It has distributed 30,000 of these and will use it enforcement officers, along with officers from the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police to help customers "comply with the new requirement".
It says it will only be able to carry 13-15% of its normal number of passengers on the Underground and buses. TfL has installed hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has also introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule.
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.
Network Rail, which owns Britain's rail infrastructure, introduced a new timetable on Monday 18 May, which added about 3,000 trains per day. But the company said passenger capacity was still only between 10% and 13% of normal levels.Network Rail, which owns Britain's rail infrastructure, introduced a new timetable on Monday 18 May, which added about 3,000 trains per day. But the company said passenger capacity was still only between 10% and 13% of normal levels.
Security guards trained in crowd control have been put on duty at some major railway stations while some intercity services are only allowing passengers with reservations onto trains. It says it has been carrying out "deep cleans" and making changes in stations so people can maintain social distancing.
What is the situation around the UK? Arriva Buses has only been accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments.
People in England who are allowed to return to work have been asked not to use public transport if possible. The ride-sharing company Uber is to make it mandatory for passengers and drivers to wear face coverings from Monday in the UK.
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.