Use Metro For Essential Travel Only: DMRC Issues Advisory On Coronavirus

Amid rising cases of coronavirus, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has issued an advisory asking passengers to use the Metro for essential travel only. “Please travel by the Metro only when it is essential and unavoidable,” the DMRC said on Thursday. The DMRC also asked passengers to follow all the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

“In course of the journey and stay within the Metro premises, passengers are requested to follow the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India from time to time to contain the spread of Corona Virus,” the advisory reads.

It also requested passengers to maintain at least 1-metre distance from each other while travelling in the Metro or at the station, i.e. ‘STANDING PASSENGERS NOT ALLOWED and ALTERNATE SEATS BE LEFT VACANT.’

Random thermal scanning of passengers will also be carried out at all metro stations. “In case anyone has fever or is observed to have any symptom of Corona Virus, he/she will be referred for medical tests and quarantine to the authorities,” the DMRC said and added that trains may not stop at such stations which may be having crowding i.e. less than the expected distance of 1-metre between the passengers.

“Any passenger who has symptoms similar to those infected by COVID–19 virus are strictly advised to avoid travel by the Metro or any other mode of public transport,” the advisory reads.

Earlier, the DMRC said it would increase the frequency of cleaning on its premises in view of the coronavirus outbreak. DMRC has also issued Do's and Dont's in both English and Hindi regarding the virus.

It will also be run on digital screens at major stations like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi."Delhi Metro staff has been sensitised and guidelines have been circulated regarding Do's and Dont's to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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"Displays at some other major stations spread across the network will also be done  with informative messages to create awareness amongst its passengers on the basic protective measures in this regard," it said.

More than two million commuters take the Delhi Metro daily. The national capital on Monday reported a case of coronavirus, triggering panic and prompting closure of some schools as a precautionary measure.

With PTI Inputs