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Coronavirus: What's the risk on public transport? Coronavirus: What's the risk on transport?
(17 days later)
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. Many are waiting to see if overseas holidays could be back on the cards this summer.
From Monday 15 June, anyone travelling on public transport in England should wear a face covering - to help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Meanwhile the easing of lockdown restrictions is expected to increase passenger demand on public transport.
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? So what are the risks of getting Covid-19 on planes, trains and buses?
Planes
It's a common belief that you are more likely to become ill on an aeroplane, because you're breathing "stale" air.
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).
Prof Qingyan Chen, at Purdue University in Indiana, who studies air quality in different passenger vehicles, estimates that the air on a plane is completely replaced every two to three minutes, compared with every 10 to 12 minutes in an air-conditioned building.
That's because most planes have something called a high-efficiency particulate air filter (Hepa). This system can capture smaller particles than ordinary air-conditioning systems, including some viruses.
The filter sucks in fresh air from outside and mixes it with the air already in the cabin, meaning that at any one time, half the air is fresh and half is not. Many ordinary air-conditioning systems merely recirculate the same air to save energy.
However, it may be harder to distance from others on a plane, which increases the transmission risk.
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.
Vicki Hertzberg, from Emory University in the US, took samples from surfaces on 10 transcontinental flights in 2018 and found they "looked like your living room". In other words, there's nothing notable in the plane samples compared with tests they had done in buildings and other types of transport, she says.
But again, being confined to a smaller space with lots of people could increase the risk of touching a contaminated surface.
It's difficult to generalise about the risks on any form of transport because there are various factors that increase or decrease the risk. For example, on a long-haul flight passengers might move around more and, should they have the virus, risk spreading it further.
How safe are trains and buses?How safe are trains and buses?
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. The government's consistent message has been to stay 2m (6ft) apart from people outside your household - though this is reducing to "1m plus" in England from 4 July.
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 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.
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. Where keeping a distance is not possible, at busy times or getting on or off public transport, the advice is to avoid physical contact, face away from others and wearing face coverings.
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). This can reduce the risk of the wearer passing on coronavirus and is now mandatory on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Wales it is "advised".
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.
What safety measures are travel operators taking?What safety measures are travel operators taking?
Transport companies have been enhancing their safety measures to protect staff and passengers.
Transport for London (TfL) says from Monday, customers should wear face coverings at stations and for their entire journeys.
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".
TfL has installed hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has also introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule.TfL has installed hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has also introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule.
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.
It says it has been carrying out "deep cleans" and making changes in stations so people can maintain social distancing.It says it has been carrying out "deep cleans" and making changes in stations so people can maintain social distancing.
Arriva Buses has only been accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments.Arriva Buses has only been accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments.
The ride-sharing company Uber is to make it mandatory for passengers and drivers to wear face coverings from Monday in the UK.