Car Sharing Is Allowed During Lockdown If You Follow These Guidelines

The UK Government has confirmed that car sharing is allowed for essential journeys if no other option is available.

In his speech on Sunday 10th May, Boris Johnson urged people who cannot work from home, such as those in the manufacturing and construction industries, to return to work but avoid public transport wherever possible.

The safer and preferable ways of travelling to work are by car, bike or on foot.

Wearing face masks in vehicles may be

Previously, the Government's advice was not to share a car with someone from another household. It read: "You can only travel in a private vehicle alone, or with members of your household."

But as concerns grow about overcrowding on public transport, it is now permitted to share a car if there are no other options.

The official advice from the Department of Transport is as follows: "If you normally share a vehicle with people from other households for essential journeys, we recommend you find a different way to travel."

It continues: "If you have to travel with people outside your household group, try to share the transport with the same people each time and keep to small groups of people at any one time."

PA)

The advice recommends to keep the vehicle well ventilated and to keep social distancing in mind wherever possible. For example, seating one person in the front of the car, and one in the back.

"Where people from different households need to use a vehicle at the same time, good ventilation (keeping the car windows open) and facing away from each other may help to reduce the risk of transmission. Where possible, consider seating arrangements to optimise distance between people in the vehicle."

The department suggests car sharers wear face coverings, saying: "There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure.

"The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms."

PA)

The hygiene of the car is important and the vehicle should be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant before and after journeys.

Passengers should wash hands with hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds before and after entering the car.

"Be aware of the surfaces you or others touch. If people from different households use a vehicle (for example through a car share scheme), you should clean it between journeys using gloves and standard cleaning products.

Paramount)

"Make sure you clean door handles, steering wheel and other areas that people may touch."

Topics: lockdown, News

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Mary-Jane Wiltsher is a freelance lifestyle and culture journalist. Elsewhere she writes for Stylist, Euronews, PHOENIX and What We Seee.