The current global health emergency, due to the coronavirus, has led to 83 British citizens being flown back from China and then transported by coach from RAF Brize Norton to an NHS facility in the Wirral for a 14-day quarantine
Horseman Coaches of Reading undertook the transportation of 83 British citizens from RAF Brize Norton, under Police escort, to an NHS facility in the Wirral on Friday 31 January.
The company used five Plaxton Panther coaches from the fleet to transport the British citizens that had been flown back from Wuhan, China by the British Government due to the outbreak of coronavirus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City.
As the virus has started to spread around the globe and reached more than 10,000 cases, the World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency on Thursday 30 January.
Given these factors, the movement of returning British Citizens was high profile, with news crews waiting outside RAF Brize Norton to film the movement.
As the coaches departed RAF Brize Norton they were being shown live on all the TV news outlets.
This immediately sparked a fierce reaction on social media. Firstly there was concern that the coach drivers were wearing no protection, yet the medical official sat in the front seat was wearing a full hazmat suit.
The other concerns came from parents whose children use the companies coaches to get to school, others included private hire customers such as the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) who responded to worried Facebook posts with a statement that included: “STAR understands that there has been some concern on social media about STAR members traveling on future coach journeys. We can confirm that STAR has been reassured by Horseman’s that the coaches and drivers to be used for our away travel will not be those that are undertaking the journey.”
Coach Driver forums on social media also raised concern about the future health of the drivers used, as earlier last week the first case of the Coronavirus in Japan was confirmed as a coach driver who had transport two groups of Chinese tourists between the 8 and 16 January.
Horseman Coaches released a statement on Saturday 1 February to address these concerns. Managing Director, James Horseman said: “Yesterday afternoon, Horseman Coaches helped successfully repatriate 83 Britains from RAF Brize Norton. Due to a number of misleading media reports surrounding the safety of our drivers and passengers, we wish to make clear:
“Horseman Coaches had provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) equipment for all drivers involved in the successful repatriation of 83 Britain’s.
“Military personnel medics and government officials told our drivers that PPE equipment was not necessary due to the precautions already taken by the Department for Health and Public Health England (PHE).
“Government officials confirmed that drivers wearing PPE equipment while driving posed a greater risk to the safety of passengers. This was a governmental decision based on a risk assessment conducted by the Department for Health and Public Health England.
“The photographed individual wearing a PPE suit was in direct contact with each of the 83 Britons, hence the need to wear protective clothing
“The individuals repatriated have not had direct contact with any Drivers and officials from PHE have been present to supervise and manage the situation at all times.
“PHE has confirmed all drivers may return to work immediately, however, Horseman Coaches has asked all drivers to remain at home on full pay and benefits for the next 10 working days under quarantine conditions as an additional precautionary measure.
“We wish to reassure our customers that every recommendation made by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Public Health England has been correctly followed and implemented.
“The 5 coaches used, out of 62 in our fleet, will remain locked in a secure facility for a minimum of 10 working days after a military-grade cleansing process has been completed as an additional precautionary measure. PHE (Public Health England) has confirmed that there will be no risk to any future passengers.”
