Coronavirus scare: NFR withdraws blankets, curtains from AC

The Northeast Frontier Railway has decided to withdraw blankets and curtains in air-conditioned coaches from service till further orders to prevent spread of coronavirus, an official said on Sunday.

Only bed-sheets, pillow covers and hand towel will be given, NF Railway spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said on Sunday.

Blankets will be kept with attendants and "given to passengers only on demand", he said.

The steps are being taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the outbreak of the disease, Chanda said.

According to existing norms, curtains and blankets provided in AC coaches are not washed after every trip and these may become a source of infection through contact, the spokesperson said.

Passengers can bring their own blankets for their journey, the official said.

Additional bed-sheets are being kept in AC coaches for any exigency and temperature inside the compartment will be adjusted suitably as per requirement, he said.

The NFR is taking emphasis on frequent disinfection of coaches at the depots in all its five divisions, he said.

A campaign is also being carried out regularly since last week to create awareness about COVID-19 among passengers and people in general in local languages.

Announcements in local languages are being made through public address system in all stations along with relevant posters.