Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage transport operators to ensure that their services are well-ventilated to limit the spread of covid-19.

The Department for Transport has published guidance on safer transport during the COVID-19 pandemic which includes recommendations on ventilation. However, this is non-mandatory guidance to ensure that transport operators can develop their own plans and processes to manage the Covid risk as best fits their own unique transport operations.

While the science to date is clear that fresh air outdoors provides the best ventilation, we are developing our scientific understanding of ventilation and other technical innovations for enclosed environments.

It is important to stress that the question of ventilation must be considered as part of a holistic approach to managing hazards and overall risk which also includes other interventions such as social distancing, improved hygiene and the use of face coverings.