Public Transport
The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect our day to day lives, and public transport is no exception. Many countries around the world have advised against, and some restricted travel. What about public transport to help us go around? Are they still safe to use as countries around the world slowly start to open up once again?
Many public transport companies have put measures into place to stop the spread of coronaviruses, such as masks being essential in taxis and enforcing social distancing on trains and buses. Many airlines around the world have also been suspending, consolidating or rescheduling flights and some airports have been shut. Governments have advised people to avoid non-essential international travel and encouraged citizens to return to their respective countries as soon as possible, provided with at least 14-days quarantine to monitor symptoms and reduce risks of infection.
Coronavirus is an Airborne Virus
Coronavirus is an airborne virus, meaning that it is easy to contract and could be anywhere where there is even one that is infected with the virus, making public transport options very risky even with measures put into place. This is even more so when one uses services such as Uber and Grab, where social distancing is not possible due to the small space of a car, and therefore the only way to minimize the risk of taking taxis and cabs are to practice regular hygiene practices, stock up some hand sanitisers, anti-microbial wet tissues or wind down the window screens if necessary.
With the many factors that have to be taken into consideration about the risk of taking public transportations during this pandemic, we should simply stick to the usual advice of being clean, washing our hands, cleaning surfaces or not touching them, maintaining social distancing and even disinfecting the area if there is a risk of coronavirus being contracted by a family member or friend. It must be also taken into consideration that each trip made must be truly essential and if a bike or a personal means of transport can be used, that will take priority over public transport.
Do you still take and use public transport? What are your concerns on using them during this pandemic?
