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BART takes proactive steps to minimize flu spread risk

Dear Customer:

As of April 28, there are no train-related travel advisories as there are with air travel; however, we are taking proactive measures to do our part to minimize further outbreaks of the H1N1/“Swine Flu” virus.  We are providing cleaning supplies and masks to our employees and encouraging them to disinfect their work areas as a way to maintain a healthy work environment.  We are also reassigning our staff to clean hard contact surfaces such as fare collection equipment, escalator hand rails, elevator controls, and multiple contact surfaces aboard the trains. However, these additional cleaning efforts alone will not completely prevent the spread of the flu. 

What You Can Do
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most effective steps you can take to prevent catching or spreading the flu are to follow these simple tips:

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • The CDC advises that influenza is spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • When you cough or sneeze cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.  If you don’t have a tissue, use your upper arm not your hand.
  • If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

For more information about H1N1/Swine Flu please visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Check back here for additional updates or sign up to receive updates by email.

In order to take these additional cleaning steps we will be diverting many of our crews from their normal duties of keeping the trains tidy. Therefore, we ask for your help by taking time to throw away newspapers and trash in order to keep the stations and trains uncluttered.