Ground travel during COVID-19, the new normal
The COVID-19 pandemic has caught us all by surprise but has especially affected the world of travel.
During these unprecedented times, governments around the world have urged their citizens to stay at home and take precautionary measures. Companies are forced to innovate at a high rate on ways to keep their customers safe in a litmus test that could prove fatal to their survival. A new form of "normal" is rightfully taking shape and the travel industry is molding it.
As a passionate follower of the ground mobility sector and an active participant, I have been taking notes of how the new normal might look like. An early statistic shows that the highest risk of death from COVID-19 affects the drivers and the chauffeurs who are regularly exposed to the risk of contracting the virus. Therefore, the safety and well-being of the drivers and guests are of utmost importance. Below, I included a list of measures that the ground transportation segment has implemented in order to assure the safety of its participants.
Masks.
Wearing masks have been proven to be effective in combating the spread of the virus, so it should come as no surprise for both the traveler and the driver to be expected to wear masks during the ride. Companies such as Blacklane and Uber have made it mandatory for the chauffeurs to wear masks, and strongly recommend the guest to wear one as well. The refusal to wear a mask may lead to the refusal of the service. SIXT and Adisson Lee encourage their clients to conform to the local government regulations. In addition, ground travel companies will ask the passengers to always take the back seat on the right in order to maintain the minimum distance from the driver as much as possible.
Sanitization.
Ground transportation providers will increase their efforts to clean and disinfect the vehicle more frequently. Addison Lee will have three inside-and-out car washes each week, while Blacklane and SIXT promise to clean the vehicles with medical-grade sanitizer before each ride. The premium ground travel companies offer a cashless service while some economy ground travel providers still accept cash payments (i.e. FreeNow). Following hygiene measures such as disinfecting your hands after each ride is encouraged by all providers that may also provide disinfectant-gel to the guests (i.e. Blacklane).
Protective panels.
Protective panels or Plexiglas panels are light and transparent panels that are now used as shields against the COVID-19 virus where it is not possible to keep the minimum distance of two meters.
The idea of using protective panels to separate the driver from the traveler during the ride has apparently originated from the Chinese mobility giant DIDI Chuxhing when the drivers were exposed to a high risk of infection during the early stage of the pandemic. The idea was then picked up by other independent drivers in various parts of the world. Uber stated that rental car operators will equip all vehicles with a separating film between the front and rear seats. However, a number of safety concerns regarding the use of protective panels in cars have emerged because of their flammable and toxic nature that may endanger the safety and well-being of the travelers in case of an accident. The majority of premium mobility providers will most likely avoid using protective panels in their vehicles.
Hygiene measures.
Ground travel companies have now advised their guests to follow simple hygiene measures to protect themselves during the time of travel. To be more specific, chauffeur companies will replace the handshake with a slight bow. They will also remove disposable items such as magazines or other amenities. Moreover, air circulation is encouraged by opening the windows or using the outflow air circulation feature of the vehicle. For example, premium providers like Blacklane have daily health checks of chauffeurs and are only allowed to drive if they are in good health. If the driver feels unwell or has been diagnosed, he will need to inform the travel provider for them to take necessary actions.
If you are a frequent traveler or travel manager, it is important to keep a few things in mind during these times. While ground travel companies are doing their best to protect their drivers and guests, the ultimate responsibility lies within each one of us. If you're feeling unwell, it is best to stay home. If you must travel, consider replacing air and rail traffic by booking a long-distance ride. It will keep you safe, and you may also receive some special rates on the booking (city-to-city). There have been no major changes in the cancellation policies, so if you're booking a car, make sure you opt-in for the ones that have flexible cancellation policies. Also, be aware of the exit time from the airports as they may now be prolonged. Book your car a few minutes later if you consider it appropriate. And, in case you happen to test positive after your trip, it is important to inform the travel providers so they could take necessary measures.
Travel safely and responsibly!
During these unprecedented times, governments around the world have urged their citizens to stay at home and take precautionary measures. Companies are forced to innovate at a high rate on ways to keep their customers safe in a litmus test that could prove fatal to their survival. A new form of "normal" is rightfully taking shape and the travel industry is molding it.
As a passionate follower of the ground mobility sector and an active participant, I have been taking notes of how the new normal might look like. An early statistic shows that the highest risk of death from COVID-19 affects the drivers and the chauffeurs who are regularly exposed to the risk of contracting the virus. Therefore, the safety and well-being of the drivers and guests are of utmost importance. Below, I included a list of measures that the ground transportation segment has implemented in order to assure the safety of its participants.
Masks.
Wearing masks have been proven to be effective in combating the spread of the virus, so it should come as no surprise for both the traveler and the driver to be expected to wear masks during the ride. Companies such as Blacklane and Uber have made it mandatory for the chauffeurs to wear masks, and strongly recommend the guest to wear one as well. The refusal to wear a mask may lead to the refusal of the service. SIXT and Adisson Lee encourage their clients to conform to the local government regulations. In addition, ground travel companies will ask the passengers to always take the back seat on the right in order to maintain the minimum distance from the driver as much as possible.
Sanitization.
Ground transportation providers will increase their efforts to clean and disinfect the vehicle more frequently. Addison Lee will have three inside-and-out car washes each week, while Blacklane and SIXT promise to clean the vehicles with medical-grade sanitizer before each ride. The premium ground travel companies offer a cashless service while some economy ground travel providers still accept cash payments (i.e. FreeNow). Following hygiene measures such as disinfecting your hands after each ride is encouraged by all providers that may also provide disinfectant-gel to the guests (i.e. Blacklane).
Protective panels.
Protective panels or Plexiglas panels are light and transparent panels that are now used as shields against the COVID-19 virus where it is not possible to keep the minimum distance of two meters.
The idea of using protective panels to separate the driver from the traveler during the ride has apparently originated from the Chinese mobility giant DIDI Chuxhing when the drivers were exposed to a high risk of infection during the early stage of the pandemic. The idea was then picked up by other independent drivers in various parts of the world. Uber stated that rental car operators will equip all vehicles with a separating film between the front and rear seats. However, a number of safety concerns regarding the use of protective panels in cars have emerged because of their flammable and toxic nature that may endanger the safety and well-being of the travelers in case of an accident. The majority of premium mobility providers will most likely avoid using protective panels in their vehicles.
Hygiene measures.
Ground travel companies have now advised their guests to follow simple hygiene measures to protect themselves during the time of travel. To be more specific, chauffeur companies will replace the handshake with a slight bow. They will also remove disposable items such as magazines or other amenities. Moreover, air circulation is encouraged by opening the windows or using the outflow air circulation feature of the vehicle. For example, premium providers like Blacklane have daily health checks of chauffeurs and are only allowed to drive if they are in good health. If the driver feels unwell or has been diagnosed, he will need to inform the travel provider for them to take necessary actions.
If you are a frequent traveler or travel manager, it is important to keep a few things in mind during these times. While ground travel companies are doing their best to protect their drivers and guests, the ultimate responsibility lies within each one of us. If you're feeling unwell, it is best to stay home. If you must travel, consider replacing air and rail traffic by booking a long-distance ride. It will keep you safe, and you may also receive some special rates on the booking (city-to-city). There have been no major changes in the cancellation policies, so if you're booking a car, make sure you opt-in for the ones that have flexible cancellation policies. Also, be aware of the exit time from the airports as they may now be prolonged. Book your car a few minutes later if you consider it appropriate. And, in case you happen to test positive after your trip, it is important to inform the travel providers so they could take necessary measures.
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