UIC working to provide members and partners with COVID-19 measures

The International Union of Railways (UIC) has announced the launch of the COVID-19 Task Force, which held its first meeting by video conference on 5 March 2020. UIC, as the technical platform for railway cooperation at a global level, is the place of exchange for best practice, bringing together many networks of experts.

Following the recent outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the strength of these networks is used to give UIC members and partners the possibility to regularly exchange information on their status whilst dealing with the virus, as well as preventive measures and procedures.

The decision to create the task force comes due to taking into account the fact that railways – along with other modes of public transportation – present a favourable environment for the spread of the virus.

Since then, and in the spirit of sharing current practices, UIC members and partner organisations have provided the Task Force with relevant information leading to the publication of the newest UIC document, Management of COVID-19: Guidance for railway stakeholders, A series of potential measures published by the International Union of Railways.

The document will continue to be updated throughout the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, and UIC welcomes continued contributions from its members to help one and all manage the global response to the virus.

Currently, contributions have been sent by railway companies from all over the world, including: Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands and the U.S.