AIRF alerts Railway Administration on the Outbreak of Corona Virus(COVID-19) in most of the countries

As you are aware that, the World Health Organisation(WHO) has declared Corona Virus(COVID-19) Outbreak as “Global Health Emergency”. Owing to this, all precautionary measures are being taken on most of the airports of our country…..

No.AIRF/24(C) Dated: March 4, 2020

The D.G.(RHS),

Railway Board,

Pragaiti Maidan,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Outbreak of Corona Virus(COVID-19) in most of the countries

As you are aware that, the World Health Organisation(WHO) has declared Corona Virus(COVID-19) Outbreak as “Global Health Emergency”. Owing to this, all precautionary measures are being taken on most of the airports of our country.

It may also be appreciated that; Indian Railways is a major transport system which carries around 2.5 crore population every day. There is, therefore, every likelihood that the Frontline Railway Employees who come under direct contact of the rail users may also be affected by this chronic disease. Unfortunately, Indian Railways is not taking any preventive measure in this regard.

AIRF, therefore, desires that the Frontline Staff, viz. Ticket Checking Staff, Station Staff, Loco Pilots, Guards, Booking Clerks, Parcel Clerks, EC&RC, who come in the direct contact with the rail users, should be provided with N-75 Masks as well as Alcohol Based Sanitizer as a measure of protection. Onboard Staff should also be provided with same kind of protection.

Apart from the above, World Health Organization has also issued advisory that close contact of the people should be avoided as the coronavirus spread very fast through cold and cough etc and enters into human body through mucous membrane areas. Staff where the Biometric attendance is in vogue comes in close contact with each other in Biometric Attendance area, Biometric machines even have become unsafe because touch of infected person may spread the virus to a healthy person. It would not be possible to sanitize Biometric Attendance areas and machines after every touch. Union therefore demands that Biometric Attendance system may be discontinued at once to save the workers from deadly coronavirus.

Apart from the above, Medical Department of all the Zonal Railways etc. needs to launch Awareness Campaign to educate Railway employees in this regard.

This may please be treated as “Most Urgent”.