Earlier today the South African Government revealed that it will be stepping up efforts to create awareness of the H1N1 or commonly known as Swine Flu. On the Arrive Alive website we have also made available information about Swine Flu and we believe that it is important to share important information with our road users.
Information provided by the United Nations provides some insight with regards to Swine Flu and public transport:
How do you reduce the risk of exposure during transport to work?
Public transport should be avoided where possible. This is something that might be very difficult in South Africa as a large part of the workforce is reliant on this mode of transport.
Options for transport to the workplace, in order of preference from a risk perspective, are:
a) Travel alone in own vehicle.
• Under such circumstances, no special protective measures are required.
b) Travel alone in a rented vehicle.
• On first acquisition of the vehicle, commonly touched surfaces (door handles, driving controls, surfaces in immediate vicinity of seating) should be wiped down with a recommended disinfectant solution.
• Hands should be washed after any wipe-down procedure.
c) Shared travel where passengers come within 1 meter (3 feet) of one another.
• Vehicle occupants are advised to wear a surgical mask while in the vehicle. Commonly touched surfaces (door handles, driving controls, surfaces in immediate vicinity of seating) should be wiped down with a recommended disinfectant solution before each use of the vehicle.
• All occupants should wash their hands soon after leaving the vehicle, and avoid touching their faces during transport.
• Hands should be washed after any wipe-down procedure.
The H1N1 /Swine Flu hotline is 0861 DOH CDC, or 0861-364-232
Also view:
• What do I need to know about Swine Flu?
• A few more facts about Swine Flu