9 tips to protect yourself from viruses and bacteria on public transport
The more the pandemic progresses, the more we get used to the new normality. This means one thing above all: keeping our distance. That's why we work in our home offices, meet outside in the open air and stay away from crowds. At least, if possible. While keeping your distance in the supermarket or restaurants is relatively easy to implement, there is one place that many cannot avoid and which at the same time makes keeping your distance almost impossible: public transport!
Here are 9 tips on how to reduce the risk of infection on public transport:
Pay via app
Contactless payment is very practical - on the one hand, you no longer have the problem of missing small change, but also prevent unnecessary touching of a card machine. If the transport company where you live does not offer an app or online payment option, then we recommend a stamp card. Press the buttons of the machine with a key or wear antiviral and antibacterial gloves, like those from ElephantSkin. The smart ElephantSkin gloves destroy viruses and bacteria by 99.97% within 10 minutes! What's more, the gloves are touch-screen compatible. Click here to go to the shop!
Make sure you keep a safe distance
Even before you start your journey, you should ensure a minimum distance of 1.5 metres at the bus stop. In the vehicle itself, this can be very difficult, especially at rush hour. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to tip three!
Drive differently than others
If you are flexible, you should avoid the rush hours. These are mainly in the morning, when people drive to work and at the end of the day. But also at lunchtime, when schoolchildren are returning home.
Wear a mask
Currently, masks are compulsory on all buses, trams and trains. This means that you have to cover your mouth and nose at the stops, in all areas of the station, on the mezzanines when changing trains and in the means of transport.
Use the back exit
The doors are bottlenecks and the fear of not getting out fast enough drives many to push. Wait or take an exit (often at the very back) that is not so busy. If you are waiting for a metro, tram or train, you can walk through the platform to the back - there are usually far fewer people there.
Stay in place
Once you have found an empty seat, you should sit or stand there and not walk through the bus or train. The fewer people you encounter - even in a confined space - the better it is for you and also for others.
Do not touch anything
It is currently a safe strategy to stay away from surfaces on public transport. If possible, do not hold onto the bars or touch the seat when sitting down or standing up. Try pressing the stop button or door opener with your elbow, a piece of cloth from your jacket or a disinfectant wipe.
Wear gloves
Gloves can help protect hands from viruses and bacteria, but care should be taken to use them correctly. To be able to touch things without worrying, we recommend our antiviral and antibacterial ElephantSkin gloves. The self-cleaning gloves not only reduce the transmission of viruses and bacteria, but also the consumption of disposable products. Compared to plastic gloves, they do not have to be thrown away after use, but can be reused for up to half a year. Learn more about ElephantSkin here!
Do you have disinfectant with you
Disinfectant wipes or sanitisers for the hands are available in handy pocket format for a reason. Always carry some with you and use it before and after you start your journey. We recommend the disinfectant from NEQI, which is now also available in a value set with a pair of ElephantSkin gloves in our shop.
Do not eat on the road
Use the drive to work for a quick snack? That's not a good idea. On the one hand, you have to take off your mask, on the other hand, you may have touched dirty surfaces with your hands and are now touching your snack with them. Try not to put your hands near your mouth or, better still, near your face in public.
Source: (https://www.freundin.de/lifestyle-corona-oeffentliche-verkehrsmittel-richtig-fahren; https://www.bildderfrau.de/familie-leben/article228678859/coronavirus-oepnv-bahn-bus.html; 18.03.2021)