Car sharing: follow the golden rules

Commuters planning to car share as they head back to work are being advised to follow the golden rules to keep them and their passengers protected from coronavirus.

People should limit sharing their car to people within their household or social bubble. But if that’s impossible they should:

  • share the transport with the same people each time
  • keep to small groups of people at any one time
  • open windows to allow air to circulate
  • travel side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where possible
  • try to keep as much distance as possible between each other

The driver should wear a face covering and ask their passengers to follow suit.

Good hygiene remains all-important – the vehicle should be cleaned between journeys, using standard cleaning products, with door handles and other areas people may touch cleaned thoroughly.

At the start and end of each journey, remember to wash hands for at least 20 seconds if possible, or use a hand sanitiser.

“It’s vital that people do not travel if they are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms: a new and continuous cough, high fever, loss of taste and/or smell, or have been advised to self-isolate, “ Said Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council.

“All of us sticking to the infection control measures will help us to prevent spread of the virus and save lives.”

Anyone showing symptoms should book a test straightaway and self-isolate: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

For help and advice on how Somerset is responding to the pandemic – and to see the latest Somerset Public Health coronavirus figures – please visit www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Anyone who needs Coronavirus-related help and advice during the pandemic can phone a single helpline on 0300 790 6275.