Coronavirus UK: The new government rules for using transport safely

Department for Transport publishes new guidance including facing away from other passengers

The government has published new guidance for passengers on how to travel safely during the coronavirus crisis.

On Tuesday, the Department for Transport unveiled a series of tips on using public transport following the publication of the government’s roadmap and strategy for the next phase of the pandemic.

While people are being urged to avoid using public transport where possible, and instead try to walk, cycle, or drive, the advice sets out a series of measures passengers should take if must travel by underground, bus, train or taxi.

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, said that transport operators and staff have been working hard to ensure that people who need to get to work are able to do so, including crucial NHS workers and all those on the frontline of the fight against the virus.

“Alongside the cycling and walking revolution we are launching, and clear guidance to passengers and operators published today, we can all play our part by following the advice and reducing pressure on public transport,” he said.

”If we take these steps, all those who need to use public transport should feel confident that they can do so safely, with the space to maintain social distancing as far as possible.“

Here is everything you need to know about using public transport safely during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Plan your journey

The Department for Transport asks that people check with their transport operator for the latest travel advice on their route before and during their journey.

The Department for Transport has published guidance on how to stay safe while travelling (Gov UK)

This is because travel may take longer than normal on some routes due to reduced capacity and social distancing measures. By planning ahead, passengers can identify alternative routes and options in case of unexpected disruption.

Travel during off-peak times

It is also recommended that people should travel at off-peak times. Each transport operator can advise on which hours of the day this applies to, while the Department for Transport also encourages discussing alternative or flexible working hours with your employer to support this.

Taking a less busy route and reducing the number of changes (for example between bus and train) will also help people keep their distance from others. You should also try to start or end your journey using a station or mode of transport you know to be quieter or more direct.

“For instance, walk the first or last mile of your journey, or alight at an earlier station, where this is possible”, the guidance states.

Wear a face covering

The guidance acknowledges that there are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be beneficial as a precautionary measure, including when you need to use public transport.

“The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas,” the document states.

It adds that a face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment, which should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace.

You can find more information about how to make your own face mask here.

Maintain social distancing

Public Health England recommends that people should keep a distance of two metres, where possible. However, this is not always the case on public transport, so what is being done to help passengers stay safe?

According to the Department for Transport, operators are being urged to rearrange, remove or limit seating “to try and ensure social distancing is observed”. This may include blocking off seats in close proximity to others and removing face-to-face seating.

It adds that the key thing is to not be too close to other people for more than a short amount of time, as much as you can. To do this, the guidance suggests waiting for passengers to get off first before you board and waiting for the next service if you cannot safely keep your distance on board a train, bus or coach.

“The risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus and the amount of time you spend in close contact,“ the document states.

Face away from other passengers

The guidance recognises that there may be situations where people are unable to keep a suitable distance from others, such as on busier services, when boarding or alighting and when walking through interchanges.

In these instances, it states that passengers should avoid any physical contact, try to face in the opposite direction from other people and keep the time you spend near others as short as possible.

Use contactless payment

Where possible, the Department for Transport recommends booking your travel online through your transport provider’s ticketing app or website.

If you are unable to do this, you should consider using contactless payment to buy tickets at stations.

The guidance also adds that anyone travelling by car should limit the time they spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services and if possible pay by contactless.

Wash your hands

As coronavirus continues to spread around the world, health organisations have been urging people to carry out basic protective measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease, including washing their hands.

The Department for Transport reiterates this advice for anyone using public transport or bikes, insisting that they should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before and after travelling.

Sit in the back of taxis

Single users of black cabs and minicabs should sit in the back left-hand seat of cars, according to the guidance.

Similarly, the document states that people should keep two metre distance from others while waiting at taxi ranks and if you do need to be near other people, you should avoid physical contact, and face away from others.

If you can, you should also wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Can you carpool?

If you normally share a vehicle with people from other households for essential journeys, the Department for Transport recommends you find a different way to travel. For example, consider walking, cycling or using your own vehicle if you can.

However, if you have to travel with people outside your household group, it recommends sharing the vehicle with the same people each time and keeping to small groups of people at any one time.

It adds that this is another instance where people may want to wear a face covering.

Can you take children on public transport?

Where travel is necessary, people should consider whether children could walk or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer, where appropriate.

The guidance states that it is important to remember that social distancing applies to children as well as adults, so young people should keep their distance from others who are not in their household, where possible.

If this isn’t possible children should avoid physical contact, face away from others, and keep the time spent near others as short as possible. If you are the responsible adult or carer travelling with children, please help them follow this guidance, wear face coverings, minimise the surfaces they touch and maintain their distance from others, where possible.

Children under two years old are not recommended to wear face coverings.