Safety measures aimed at ensuring ferry travel as the “safest form of public transport” have been introduced by Stena Line.
Social distancing, fog machines, fresh sea air inside ferries and the recommended wearing of face coverings are all seen as key to reassuring travellers as countries reopen their borders from lockdown restrictions.
Stena Line claims an increase in passenger bookings with the potential re-emergence of non-essential travel.
The company has been finalising new safety measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 ahead of the return of sea corridors reopening to tourist travel
These include:
- Easier social distancing – ferry travel is the only form of public transport where passengers can social distance easily. Stena Line has undertaken risk assessments, which have capped the numbers of passengers on each crossing to guarantee adequate space.
- Fresh sea air is now being circulated into the air filtration systems on all ferries.
- New fog machines are being used to sanitise communal areas and cabins on the ferries and alongside the continuous cleaning routines being undertaken throughout the ships.
- Face coverings are recommended for all passengers and crew on vessels, in terminals, on all routes on the Irish Sea and the North Sea, where social distancing is difficult to achieve, such as in stairwells, lifts and in corridors.
Chief executive Niclas Martensson said: “Ferry travel is the only mode of transport where you can social distance, so it is no surprise that we are now seeing an increase in bookings due to the expected reduction in lockdown restrictions.
“In advance of the return of international travel we now feel the time is right to tell people about our new anti-Covid-19 measures and reassure them that ferries provide the safest mode of transport for travel passengers and freight drivers.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is always a top priority for Stena Line.”
He added: “By providing the ability to social distance the whole journey, our big, bright and spacious ferries have plenty of fresh sea air, both inside and out, and offer the safest way to travel for people who want to take a break after the long lockdown.”