How to be as safe as possible on Public Transport
The prospect of getting on a bus or a train is one that, in 2020, is likely to generate a fair bit of anxiety. During the average commute, several urgent questions might occur. What if there are other people in the carriage who haven’t taken matters quite as seriously as they should? When was the last time that this handrail was cleaned? How many people are going to get on before I can get off?
During a pandemic, it’s understandable that many of us should begin to feel nervous about tasks that were once routine. This is reflected in YouGov polling which suggests that a sizeable minority of Londoners are starting to feel uncomfortable when taking the tube.
Fortunately, by taking a few simple measures, we can protect ourselves and our fellow passengers, and hugely reduce the likelihood that we’ll contract, or spread, the dreaded coronavirus.
Masks
A facemask isn’t a perfect barrier between people. It’s not a hundred percent reliable. But of course, it doesn’t need to be perfect to be effective. If everyone in a given space wears a mask, then the dreaded R0 rating begins to decline.
Distancing
Of course, a mask isn’t a replacement for social distancing. Maintain a prudent distance from other passengers. This is especially important in crossing areas, like walkways, and the entrances and exits from a carriage.
Sanitiser
If you’re on the go, then the most effective way to clean your hands is through a bottle of alcohol-based sanitiser. This, much like soap, will break down the fatty bubble which encases the virus, and cause it to die before it has a chance to reach your mouth and infect you.
Plan your Journey
If you have a firm grasp of where you’re going to be going and what you’re going to be doing at every stage of your journey, then you’ll be able to avoid hanging around in public spaces, including railway platforms and bus stops. Look at train times in advance, and plan your day accordingly.
Fortunately, there’s every reason to believe that rail operators are taking the crisis as seriously as the general public.
According to Lorna Thornton, Head of Business Sales at Arriva’s rail division: “Rebuilding confidence in rail travel is essential as the country begins returning to work and COVID-19 restrictions are gradually eased. Business travellers are now looking to train companies for reassurance over things like on board cleaning and social distancing, as well as the usual requirements such as Wi-Fi and reliability.”