Advice for social distancing in transport issued by PHE

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Public Health England (PHE) has published advice for different scenarios on how social distancing and other measures might be implemented by employees.

For transport businesses, it says that social distancing should be maintained where possible but it is not always possible for staff to be able to stay two metres away from each other or passengers. PHE has therefore issued the following advice:

"If workers have to share enclosed spaces such as the cabs of vehicles, they should keep the window open for ventilation and they should be careful to avoid touching their face at all times. On leaving the enclosed space, they should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more or use hand sanitiser when they cannot wash their hands.

"For the use of private vehicles or when car pooling, if the journey is essential, such as travel to work, and there is no option but to share a car with people who are not part of the same household, journeys should be shared with the same individuals and with the minimum number of people at any one time.

"Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) and facing away from each other may help to reduce the risk.

"Private vehicles that are used by people from multiple households should be cleaned regularly using gloves and standard cleaning products with particular emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces."