Coronavirus Updates || Safety Measures with redBus

Updated On: 13/11/2020

A global pandemic has gripped the world that has brought nearly every industry in the world to a standstill. Novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system of an infected person. With 44,879 new cases reported yesterday, the total number of confirmed cases in India till date now stands at 87,28,795, with 547 deaths reported yesterday, thereby, taking the total number deaths in India due to COVID-19 to 1,28,668. The Center has directed every state government to implement a number of safety measures that could aid in slowing down the spread of COVID-19. The novel virus has dramatically affected the travel industry, with a number of countries instituting a lockdown across various states or red zones.

The travel industry has taken a significant hit as the Government of India has temporarily suspended interstate and international travel.

redBus and Safety+

COVID-19 or the novel coronavirus spreads from one person to another when a person through the microdroplets that are expelled from the body of an infected person when they sneeze or cough. The virus can be transmitted if you come in contact with an object that an infected person has touched such as elevator buttons, door handles, etc. redBus has introduced Safety+ that brings about several measures and initiatives that can be taken to keep every person, staff and passengers, protected and safe from COVID-19.

An initiative that’s powered by redBus, Safety+ is a campaign that’s meant to bring about several hygiene measures and tactics that can aid in ensuring our customers are kept safe during their trip. Safety+ buses are marked on the redBus app by a Safety+ icon. Some of these measures include:

  • Masks for Staff: Every person who’s part of the crew on a bus is required to wear masks that meet the medical standards set by the Ministry of Health. This is followed throughout the bus journey.
  • Deep Cleaning of Buses: Buses undergo a rigorous cleaning and disinfection process after completing a trip.
  • Linens and Blankets: Though part of the amenities provided by a bus operator, linens and blankets will not be provided on the journey. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own linens, a shawl, or any clean piece of clothing to keep them comfortable during the trip.
  • Regular Temperature Checks: Bus operators have been directed to conduct regular temperature checks of their staff. Passengers will also go through a temperature check before boarding a bus.
  • Hand Sanitisers: Hand sanitizers will be available on every bus. Passengers are advised to carry a hand sanitizer of their own as well.

Other precautions taken include preventing passengers who don’t have their masks from entering the bus. The masks have to meet the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health.

Customers Complaints and Queries:

With constant changes being made to the regulations set by the government, India is doing it’s best to contain the spread of the virus with lockdown extensions and stay-at-home orders. Depending on the COVID-19 situation in a specific area, state governments are enforcing strict measures to ensure there’s minimum movement in a particular area or hotspot. This has drastically affected a number of people and their travel plans. Companies that facilitate online bookings have been struggling to deal with a large number of rescheduling requests and cancellations. Thankfully, redBus has tackled this issue while keeping a customer’s interest as their main priority.

People who have made a booking and then decided to make a change to their travel plans can quickly reschedule their bus to another date by doing so on the app or by getting in touch with the customer care team at redBus. redBus understands that this pandemic is not a common situation to be in, and this is why redBus has offered to do whatever possible to ensure that a passenger can either reschedule or cancel their ticket smoothly and quickly.

Protective Measures against COVID-19

There are a number of protective measures that a person should follow to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Some of these are:

  • Wash your hands frequently: Washing your hands regularly with an alcohol-based handwash or with soap and water kills the virus which could be present on the surface of your hands.
  • Social Distancing: COVID-19 does not spread from one animal to another but spreads from one human being to another through tiny droplets that are expelled from an infected person’s body when they sneeze or cough. Maintaining social distancing will minimize the amount a person is exposed to a potentially infected individual. If you have to meet someone, maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from each other.
  • Eyes, Nose, Mouth: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially if you have gone out of your home or met someone during this quarantine period. Hands can easily pick up the virus from a surface and the virus can be transmitted into your body if you touch these areas. Ensure that you sanitize and wash your hands the moment you go back home.
  • Travel: Avoid traveling within your city, state, or country. Avoid traveling to farms and avoid contact with farm animals as well.
  • Practice Respiratory Etiquette: If you feel like coughing or are about to sneeze, cover your mouth or nose with your bent elbow or with disposable tissue. This ensures that you minimize the spread of droplets that you usually expel when you cough or sneeze.

State and Union Territory Helpline Numbers:

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has collated a state-wise list of helpline numbers that people can call if they require any assistance:

For any further information on COVID-19, people can call the MoHFW toll free number 1075 (Toll free) | 011-23978046 or by dropping an email to ncov2019@gov.in or ncov2019@gmail.com.

FAQs

What is coronavirus or COVID-19?
In December 2019, an infectious disease originated from Wuhan in China that can gravely affect the respiratory system of a person. Very little was known about this disease before the outbreak in Wuhan and over a few months, the disease has become a global pandemic.
What are the symptoms of Coronavirus or COVID-19?
Symptoms of Coronavirus or COVID-19 can vary from one person to another depending on their age, general health and lifestyle, and pre-existing diseases. Common symptoms include cold, cough, fever, tiredness, aches and pains, headaches, sore throat, diarrhea, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. In severe cases, patients have exhibited signs of pneumonia, kidney failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and even death.
How long does it take to show symptoms of COVID-19 or coronavirus?
On average, it takes about 4 to 6 days for the first symptoms to start showing. However, there are cases where people have shown no symptoms of being infected with the virus for 14 days straight. If you think you might be infected, please self-isolate. If the symptoms persist and it gets difficult to breathe, seek medical help immediately.
How does coronavirus or COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads from one person to another. The disease primarily spreads through tiny droplets that are expelled from the mouth or nose of an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or talk. These tiny droplets are relatively heavy and do not travel far before sinking to the ground or landing on a surface. If a person breathes in these droplets or if they come in contact with a surface that had the virus on it and they touch their nose, eyes, or mouth with the same hand, they can get infected too. This is why it is very important to wash your hands regularly.
Is there a coronavirus vaccine available?
At present, there is no vaccine that’s available for COVID-19 or coronavirus. With any new disease, it takes some time, generally years, to develop a vaccine and successfully complete conducting human trials. Scientists are studying a number of methods, such as plasma therapy, that they think can combat the virus.
What are the protective measures to combat Coronavirus or COVID-19 that I should follow?
Practicing respiratory and hand hygiene goes a long way. Maintain a distance of a minimum of 3 feet from other people and practice self-quarantine in case you exhibit any of the symptoms.
Pharmacies do not have masks. Can I make a mask at home?
Yes, you can. Please follow the instructions set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to make your own mask within the comfort of your home. Download the PDF on “Advisory Manual Use of Homemade Protective Cover for Face and Mouth” that’s available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Does COVID-19 affect senior citizens only?
If you have a good immune system and have healthy habits, you are less likely to succumb to the disease. This does not mean you cannot contract the disease from an infected individual. You not only become a carrier of the disease but you can infect another person who may not be that physically fit or who doesn’t have a strong immune system. The virus can be fatal if such individuals are infected.
What can I do to stay busy during this lockdown?
There are a number of things that a person can do to keep themselves busy such as sketching, dance classes, you can get into fitness and keep yourself healthy, try out new recipes, yoga and meditation to keep your mind peaceful during these tough times, spend time with your family, ZOOM call with your loved ones, online games, and much more.