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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Neil Lancefield

Coronavirus: London's Tubes given 'enhanced cleaning' in bid to fight spread

Transport for London (TfL) has launched an "enhanced cleaning regime" in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Additional substances which kill viruses and bacteria are being used across the London Underground and bus networks, the transport body announced.

The busiest stations will be cleaned more regularly than usual, including during the day.

Bus parts which are regularly touched - such as poles and doors - will be wiped down with a strong disinfectant every day.

TfL is also testing a longer lasting disinfectant, which provides up to 30 days of anti-viral protection.

London's busiest stations will be cleaned even more regularly than usual (REUTERS)
TfL says its longer lasting disinfectant will provide up to 30 days of anti-viral protection (Getty)

The announcement comes as the UK's coronavirus death toll rose to six today and the number of confirmed cases leaps to 373.

London itself has had 91 patients diagnosed with the virus.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I'm doing all I can to work with Public Health England and other experts to keep Londoners safe so I'm pleased that TfL is stepping up enhanced cleaning across the transport network.

"Along with trialling new longer lasting cleaning fluid, this will help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.

"I want to reassure Londoners and visitors that the advice from experts is to continue with our daily lives as normal, including using public transport."

Transport for London says it will target regularly-touched surfaces like poles (PA)

Lilli Matson, director of health, safety and the environment at TfL, said: "We want to give Londoners and our staff peace of mind that their safety is our priority, which is why we have enhanced our already rigorous cleaning regime.

"A lot of our cleaning goes on when stations are closed or trains are out of service, so, to provide additional reassurance, teams will be cleaning areas that are frequently touched throughout the day, in addition to the enhanced cleaning regime that all bus garages will be carrying out."

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