Public transport like trains, buses, and planes seems safer are now said safer if masks are worn, and social distancing is followed, according to new studies. 

According to Daily Mail, the chance of spreading the virus on public transport is minimal, debunking earlier claims that it is a potential coronavirus hotspot. It was even tagged as a "suicide mission" since the virus thrives in indoor spaces with little ventilation, particularly when highly crowded.

However, a new study conducted by Sante Publique France researchers shows that catching coronavirus on public transport is less likely to happen if people adhere to safety protocols. The national public health agency focuses on contact tracing on hundreds of COVID-19 patients across Japan, Austria, and France, which linked public transport to less than 1% of super-spreader events.

People who take trains or buses for a relatively short time also often not talk to anyone, so they dispel a low amount of aerosols.

Read also: COVID-19: Riding a Train? Here are the Safest Spot and Distance From Other Passengers, According to Science

Also, public transport in most countries requires commuters to wear masks, which further reduces the spread risk, unlike in most bars, restaurants, and offices spreading the virus was found to be far higher.

However, researchers said that the research data is skewed since the number of commuters has dropped by around 90% after British people were told to avoid using public transport unless it is highly needed. Also, public health officials found it extremely difficult to track infection clusters across train carriages and buses accurately.

Among 386 infection clusters from May to July in Paris, contact tracers found just four clusters linked to public transport. A cluster is defined by more than three cases that can be traced to a common event or venue. In other studies, public health officials in Japan and Austria found no super-spreader events recorded in April and May were related to public transport. 

Read also: CORONAVIRUS Pandemic: Tube is a 'Suicide Mission; Few Masks with No Social Distancing as Commuters Packed London Underground

No longer a Suicide Mission

In May, Tech Times reported that commuters claimed riding the train is a "suicide mission" if people do not adhere to social distancing and masks after London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged them to go back to work. This was also after the mayor said each carriage would only carry 13% to 15% of passengers. Commuters wear also advised to bring sanitizers.

Meanwhile, Former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz said in an analysis of contact tracing data that only 4% out of 1,300 virus hospital admissions in May had used public transportation.  

Similarly, Singapore's COVID-19 Taskforce co-chair shared on social media in July that there is a higher risk of spreading the virus in social gatherings than in public transport where people wear masks.

According to New York Times, experts explained that low infection cases in public transport are due to low riding use, good adherence with a face mask and social distancing rules, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of buses and trains. 

However, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security senior scholar Crystal Watson urged people to be cautious of interpreting the findings since tracking infection clusters in public transport was highly difficult since people do not remember which train carriage or bus they rode. 

Read also: Pandemic Aftermath: Worst Air Pollution and Extreme Traffic Congestion Expected After Lockdown as Private Cars Increase

Tech Times owns this article.

Written by CJ Robles

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