A study on the train was conducted in August by researchers at the University of Southampton in England with the participation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The researchers modeled a train car to see what the risks of contamination were. Here are the conclusions:

  • The infected person’s direct neighbors have an approximately 3.5% risk of catching the virus.
  • The risk for people sitting in the same row is about 1.5%.
  • In total, in a wagon with a person carrying the coronavirus, there are between 0% and 10% of travelers who are likely to catch Covid-19.

To know the precautions to be taken, Dr Pierre Parneix, a doctor specializing in public health, explains that the first advice is of course, to keep your mask during the entire trip, even if it is long and especially not to put it under your nose like many do.

The other advice is hand hygiene, throughout the journey you have to remember to wash your hands and put on gel and finally eat in your place because this would be the moment when the contamination would have the most risk of take place.

The plane would be the safest

Manufacturers and airlines have been very reassuring since the start of the crisis. They detailed how their ventilation system works, supposed to limit the risk of contamination.

Half of the air flow in the aircraft comes from outside. The remaining 50% is recycled indoor air thanks to filters similar to those found in operating theaters which eliminate odors, bacteria and viruses.

In addition, the airline safety agency has imposed on companies the disinfection of cabins after each flight. Several companies have decided to spray very powerful virucides in the air.

Not to mention that many airports have now set up on-site antigen testing to prevent sick people from getting on planes.

This makes a lot of good points for air transport, but health authorities are still being cautious. On May 12, the High Council of Public Health published a report.

This report explained that there may still be a risk of contamination on the plane, particularly at the level of manual contacts when going to the toilet, by touching the tablet in front of you. This report recommended to respect the distance of 1 meter between passengers, which is not always the case.

It is also necessary to exercise greater caution, avoid moving too much during the flight, eat at the same time as the neighbor by removing the mask at the same time as him. Finally, you must disinfect the tablet and the screen in front of you.

The car, the safest way

In this transport, you do not meet anyone and if you are with the members of your household, there will be no more risk than at home. Except perhaps during breaks on the highway.

On the other hand, if you are with other people by carpooling for example, there are some rules to follow. They can be found on the website of the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

  • Wearing a mask is compulsory. A driver may refuse to carry a passenger if the passenger is not wearing a mask.
  • Do not exceed 4 people in the car at most.

It is also recommended that vehicles be ventilated regularly and disinfected before each journey. Take your waste when leaving the vehicle, as it could carry the virus.

Dangerous public transport

There have always been a lot of fears and this is normal when there are people in the trains.

According to figures from Public Health France, public transport represents 10% of contamination in France. You have to be vigilant, especially when there are people.

Here is the advice of specialists for the metro:

  • Try to get as far away from other passengers as possible, or with your back to them, especially those who are talking on the phone as there may be a risk of sputters, and if you can open the window near you.
  • Also avoid touching the famous metro bar and especially do not touch your face or eyes before washing your hands. Little tips that can make your next trips a little safer.