How Sheffield trams are cleaned during coronavirus outbreak as advice issued for passengers

Both First South Yorkshire and Stagecoach Supertram have urged passengers to make journeys as usual – but have told customers to follow Government guidelines on handwashing as the outbreak spreads across Britain.

A Stagecoach spokesman said: “We have in place a dedicated team which is closely monitoring and managing the current situation. Our priority is to protect the safety of our customers and our own employees.

"We are continuing to follow and reinforce government and public health advice on the situation and the associated measures required.

“The advice is that people continue to use public transport as normal while at the same time paying particular attention to good hygiene practices, particularly hand washing.

“We have well-established and rigorous cleaning regimes for our public transport services, and we are continuing to enhance the measures we have in place in response to the developing situation. Detailed and regular reminders have been issued to our teams about hygiene good practice. We are also providing additional cleaning materials such as personal hand sanitiser for frontline employees, depots and work areas.

”We are keeping all aspects of our operation under review to ensure that we best placed to respond to what is a developing situation. In addition, we will continue to liaise closely with government and public health authorities on any further steps we should take."

A First South Yorkshire spokesman said: “The Government has made it clear that neither members of the public nor transport staff are at greater risk of infection from coronavirus when using rail or bus services than in other public spaces.

“Clearly this is a dynamic situation and as a responsible transport operator we are monitoring developments closely. We continue to follow the advice from public health bodies, including ensuring the awareness of good hand hygiene with our employees."

Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council has installed soap and hand sanitizer dispensers in council buildings and is urging staff and visitors to follow NHS 111 advice, washing their hands and the catch it, bin it, kill it approach.