Dear Members,
18 March Coronavirus update, school closure implications, and bus airflow information
Prime Minister’s statement 18 March – notes impacting buses
In today’s media statement there were several points of particular importance to bus operators, including school, tour and charter operators.
General Population - Indoor Gatherings
Non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff) within a single enclosed or substantially enclosed area are not permitted from today. This does NOT apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities (including buses and interchanges), medical facilities, offices, supermarkets, and a number of other listed facilities.
Domestic Transport
All Australians should only consider travelling when it is essential. If unwell, people must stay at home, unless seeking medical care.
Public transport is essential and that AHPPC (Australian Health Protection Principal Committee) advice should apply in relation to public transport (trains, trams, buses, ferries), taxi and ride share vehicles and transport of vulnerable populations, with particular attention given to cleaning and hygiene.
The National Cabinet will further consider social distancing arrangements for domestic transport at its next meeting on Friday 20 March 2020.
Commonwealth emergency powers
The National Cabinet noted that Commonwealth, States and Territories were implementing emergency powers under respective legislation in order to be able to deal with the spread of COVID-19 as quickly and flexibly as possible.
There is much further detail on schools, aged care facilities, etc., in the statement. To read the full Coronavirus media statement with further details on restrictions and likely future developments, click this link, https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures
Bus Airflow and Ventilation
The advice to transport operators is that all internal spaces should be well ventilated and where possible, fresh air should be allowed to flow. For buses, open windows if possible. You can use your air conditioner to provide air flow, if you do not have the ability to open bus windows. There is no evidence at this point to show that air conditioning transmits viruses.
Many of you have Thermo King air conditioning systems, and the following information from Thermo King may be of interest:
- Using a Glen 20 spray on the filter is a good precaution. (If you can get it!)
- One suggestion to enhance airflow is to use the bus air conditioner in the Ventilation Mode which means NO Air Conditioning or Heating just straight ventilation.
- We have included below, images of the two types of controllers used for the widely used Thermo King product, and they should be operated as described.
Climaaire 1D controller
Climaaire II controller
Further information about coronavirus and public transport
The DHHS has provided information for transport providers on its website, but it doesn’t appear to add anything new to what we have already sent out. It can be accessed from this link, https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-transmission-reduction-measures#actions-for-transport-carriers
Regards,
Stuart Dawson
Manager, Member Services