Coronavirus: Blankets not washed daily, Railways tell passengers to carry own blankets

Mumbai, March 15, 2020: The Western Railway has taken a big decision to prevent the infection of Coronavirus. Coach attendants will no longer give blankets to railway passengers in the train. Keeping vigil due to Coronavirus, Western Railway officials said that information that passengers will now have to carry their blankets while travelling in AC trains.

Western Railway PRO said that given the danger of coronavirus, Western Railway has decided to remove blankets and curtains from AC coaches. He said that the blanket cannot be washed after every journey, so it is better travellers keep their blanket with them.

“Western Railways will not provide blankets to passengers in AC coaches to prevent the spread of COVID 19. The temperature in AC coaches will be set around 25-26℃. We are arranged for announcement on stations and sending of SMS to this effect to all AC coach passengers. In the wake of #coronavirus outbreak, Western Railway decided the withdrawal of blankets & curtains from AC coaches as they are not washed every day, as a precaution against #Coronavirus.

Earlier, East Coast Railway also directed to remove blankets from trains. According to JP Mishra, PRO of East Coast Railway, East Coast Railway has instructed to remove blankets in tier 1, 2 and 3 train coaches given the danger of coronavirus.

Central Railways is also taking special efforts towards cleanliness, hygiene in coaches.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that Railways is taking unprecedented precautions to prevent the spread of Novel #Coronavirus infection. The railway stations and trains are being sanitised to ensure utmost hygiene, making travel safe for passengers.

Passengers are being made aware of the corona at the station

In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak and panic, passengers are being made aware through posters and messages on digital screens at the New Delhi railway station. Cleanliness is being given more attention, sanitizers have been kept in place and masks have been given to the staff. An isolation ward has also been made for infected patients.

Deepak, CPRO of Northern Railway, said that a brief announcement is being made from the mike after a while to make the passengers aware. Posters have been put up and it is being told on the digital screen that what should and should not be done about the corona.