Coronavirus warning for those who car share

Residents in Warwickshire are being warned against car sharing with people from outside of their household.

Warwickshire County Council says it's following 'several cases' both locally and nationally, where car sharing has been identified as a contributing factor in the spread of Covid-19.  
 
Warwickshire County Council’s Public Health team are calling on residents to play their part and do the right thing, by not car sharing with people outside their household, ensuring that they continue to socially distance, wash their hands regularly and get a test if they have any symptoms.   
 
Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Shade Agboola said: “Although cases in Warwickshire remain stable, there have been a number of confirmed cases in the last few weeks which relate directly to people car sharing or socialising outside of work. We know that coronavirus spreads faster in enclosed spaces, including cars and other vehicles than it does outdoors, and this is one of the factors we are seeing in some outbreaks. Our advice would be not to share a vehicle with anyone outside of your household. If you do have to car share, only do so with one other person and maximise the distance between you, so the passenger sits in the back of the vehicle on the opposite side to the driver.  
 
“When traveling, keep windows down, wear a face covering and clean the car between journeys, particularly the areas people touch. Most importantly, do not car share if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste; you are sharing a house with somebody who has symptoms or have been advised by the NHS test and trace service that you should self-isolate.” 
 
Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Les Caborn said:“We know that people may be concerned about using public transport at this time, but by car sharing you are significantly increasing the risk of contracting the virus. Whilst there are things that you can do to mitigate those risks, by only car sharing with one other person, leaving windows open and wearing a face covering, it may be advisable to look at alternative methods of transport including riding a bike, an electric scooter or using a train or bus to help reduce the chances of getting the virus and bringing it into your place of work.”