In some German cities, passengers are no longer admitted to the front bus area. This is to protect drivers from a coronavirus infection. Now the MVG has also reacted.
- The corona virus * is spreading in Germany.
- More and more companies are taking protective measures .
- The Munich Transport Company (MVG) has now also responded.
Update from March 17th, 9.26 a.m .: Last week, Munich's bus drivers had already asked for measures to protect them from corona (see original message ). The MVG reacted with some delay.
A sign on the front bus door now says: "Please do not address bus drivers". In addition, passengers are asked to get in at the back. An English version of the sign was made for foreign passengers.
In addition, the front area of the interior was “blocked” - temporarily with a red and white barrier tape . "Doesn't really look professional," reads one reader from our editorial team.
No getting through for passengers: the MVG wants to protect bus drivers from a corona infection.
© fkn
In fairness, one has to say: it would hardly have been possible to retrofit all MVG buses in such a short time.
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A Munich medical doctor warns Corona: "If we don't keep this command, it could have dramatic consequences"
Coronavirus: bus drivers demand better protection, people reacted in Berlin - so far not at the MVG
Statement of origin from March 12:
Munich - More and more companies are sending employees to their home offices - to protect them against suspected cases or confirmed coronavirus infections * from colleagues. A possibility that bus and tram drivers do not have in Munich. Unlike U-Bahn or S-Bahn drivers, they come into direct contact with the passengers . "This is a big topic among us colleagues," says Michael Gottschalk. He works for a bus company that drives for the Munich Transport Company (MVG). And he speaks what, according to his colleagues, burns his nails: there should finally be protective measures.
"We haven't heard from MVG yet," says the 62-year-old. He has been driving the bus for 40 years. He "had never experienced anything like the dangers of Corona *.
Coronavirus: Other transport companies take protective measures - but not the MVG
Gottschalk and his colleagues have clear demands: they want the front door to remain closed and the bus drivers to no longer be allowed to be contacted. "Because that's exactly what happens all day." In every bus and in every city .
Berlin is therefore acting and blocks the front area in buses from today on Thursday. Other countries have also become active. Images from Israel are circulating on Twitter , showing an uncomplicated solution: zones in buses that have been sealed with an adhesive tape. It is the same in Switzerland .
news from berlin: from tomorrow only in the back of the bus !!! #berlin, #Corona #coronadeutschland, #bvg, #coronaberlin, # COVID19germany, # COVID2019, # covid2019, #Berlin pic.twitter.com/m9PvxpAS6C
- joshka (@ jansobieski123) March 11, 2020Corona virus in Munich: bus drivers appeal to passengers - "do not respond"
In addition, there are, for example, signs in the vehicles in Zurich asking passengers to keep their distance. "Comparable measures are also among the possible next steps for us in Munich," says MVG spokesman Matthias Korte. But: In contrast to the colleagues in Berlin, the company is not active. Despite the increasing number of infections every day, it says: “Implementation depends on further development. We reassess the situation regarding the coronavirus every day and use it to derive further steps - under medical advice. ”
By the way, the Association of German Transport Companies already worked out how to act in 2009. In the pandemic influenza plan at the time, the measures on page 13 included “Entry / exit through the rear doors” and “Separation of a passenger-free protection zone”.
Nadja Hoffmann
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* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
