Shanghai has implemented strict measures on its public transportation systems to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, authorities said yesterday.

Yang Xiaoxi, deputy director of the city’s transport commission, said all Metro trains were previously disinfected once daily, but now they go through disinfection every time they return to depots after peak hours. Frequency of disinfection in Metro stations has also been increased. New ventilation systems have been installed with vent lines disinfected twice a week.

“If a passenger suddenly falls sick, or is suspected or diagnosed with infection, the whole station will be thoroughly disinfected,” he said.

All buses are disinfected at least once a day, while those departing from airports and railway stations are disinfected at least twice a day. About 56 popular bus lines, such as Route 71, are disinfected three times a day.

“We will pilot using large electric sprayers to spray disinfectant in some buses soon,” Yang said.

He added that taxis are disinfected at their companies every day, while drivers are asked to disinfect their cars three times a day. Drivers also have to check their body temperatures on a daily basis.

Yang said Shanghai’s two airports have handled 16,000 flights involving more than 1.31 million passengers since the city began its efforts to curb the viral outbreak. Shanghai railway stations have handled more than 12 million people between January 10 and February 9.