Guidelines for railway and aviation industries

Industry guidelines

We introduce guidelines put in place by railway and aviation operators to strike a balance between preventing the spread of the virus and sustaining social and economic activity.

Railway industry

According to common guidelines compiled by railway groups, including Japan Railway and major private companies, operators are urged to ask passengers to wear face masks, to work remotely to avoid congestion, and to avoid using public transportation at peak hours.

Railway operators are also requested to carefully sanitize cars and open windows to improve ventilation.

In addition, reserved seats on express trains are arranged to maintain social distancing between passengers.

Infection prevention in packed cars

We produce droplets just by breathing, so not talking doesn’t guarantee that you won’t create droplets. Still, keeping your mouth closed does greatly reduce the amount of droplets you produce. Try not to talk and, as always, wear a mask, refrain from touching surfaces, and wash or disinfect your hands once you get off.

Aviation industry

Meanwhile, guidelines by the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan recommend airline companies to routinely disinfect the insides of planes and to ask passengers to wear face masks. The companies are also urged to only serve packaged drinks during flights.

The guidelines also request airport operators to develop ways for passengers to maintain social distancing at check-in and during security screening procedures. And they are also urged to frequently sanitize surfaces that are regularly touched by travelers.

The guidelines recommend the installation of plastic dividers at check-in counters to prevent the spread of droplets, and temperature checks for passengers who report to be feeling unwell. Japan’s six main airports, including Narita, Haneda, and Kansai, monitor the temperatures of all passengers using thermographs.