Safely Reopening GM: What you need to know about travel #SafeGM

Are you back to work as pubs, restaurants and more businesses across Greater Manchester reopen?

It’s more important than ever to consider how you travel safely.

Public transport is still reduced so please think about walking or cycling in and ask your employer if they can support you in this.

Taxis and private hire services are also an alternative if you’re travelling in the evenings, just make sure you know the latest guidance to stay safe.

If you need to use public transport, plan ahead, allow extra time for your journey and check whether your service is running, particularly for your trip home.

Keep yourself and others safe. Visit http://ow.ly/4suI50AnYER to plan your travel and safe travel advice.

#SafeGM

Safely Reopening GM: What you need to know about travel

July sees Greater Manchester taking yet more steps along the road to economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, with yet more businesses reopening, including leisure and hospitality facilities, such as pubs, restaurants, hotels and small businesses such as hairdressers.

As an employer we want to ensure that we play our part so that you feel safe by providing you with the support you need to feel confident in returning to work.

Last month, our partners at the Growth Company, in partnership with TfGM and the GMCA, launched the ‘Safely Reopening GM’ initiative to ensure that employers and employees have all the information they need to work and travel safely during the continuing pandemic.

A key part of returning to work is travel and you may already be considering different ways of travelling following the lockdown. With this in mind, we’ve put together the latest information to ensure everyone can get around safely.

• Consider walking and cycling to work, or taxis if you’re travelling in the evenings. If you need help or advice on walking or cycling to work, speak to your manager or HR representative  about what support is available.
• Plan ahead for your journey. If you do have to use public transport, try and avoid the busiest “peak” travel times and routes. You can get up to date information at com/coronavirus.
• Allow extra time for your journey and remember to check your transport is running, particularly for your journey home.
• If you are using public transport, wear a face covering, unless you are exempt. Please also remember to keep your distance while travelling and waiting, clean your hands frequently and use contactless payment wherever possible.

We’d urge all of you to familiarise yourselves with all the ‘Safely Reopening GM’ information – visit togethergm.org/reopening.

The safety and wellbeing of our staff, customers and business partners is important to us and we want to support you all during this time. Should you have any questions relating to your return to work, please contact your line manager or your HR representative.

CORONAVIRUS GENERIC TRAVEL KEY MESSAGES AND KEY MESSAGES FOR HOSPITALITY SECTOR EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS 

• Help keep yourself and everyone safe when you’re outside the home by thinking about how and when you travel and following safety guidance.
• Consider all other travel options before using public transport, including cycling and walking.
• Plan ahead, allow extra time for your journeys and be patient when travelling.
• If you are travelling, avoid the busiest times and routes – check tfgm.com/coronavirus for further information.
• On public transport, you must wear a face covering unless you are exempt. Keep your distance from others, clean your hands frequently and use contactless payment

Key messages for employers 

• Ask your employees to consider other options before using public transport – including cycling, walking, taxis and private hire services.
• Advise your employees that if they do have to use public transport, they must wear a face covering, unless they are exempt. They should also keep their distance from other passengers where possible, clean their hands frequently and use contactless payment.
• Public transport services are currently reduced – make sure your employees plan their journeys and check their transport is running, particularly for the trip home.

• TfGM can help you support your staff in travelling safely and making it easier to walk and cycle – find out more at tfgm.com/travel-choices/business.

Key messages for employees 

• If you can, cycle or walk to and from work, before considering public transport.
• You should also consider taxis and private hire services as an alternative if travelling in the evenings and follow guidance to use them safely.

• If you need to use public transport, plan ahead, allow extra time for your journey and check whether your service is running, particularly for your trip home.
• On public transport, you must wear a face covering unless you are exempt. Keep your distance from other passengers, clean your hands frequently and use contactless payment.
• Talk to your employer about how they could support you to cycle or walk to work.

Key messages for leisure and hospitality customers 

• Think about the safest way to travel for your day or night out. Plan ahead, allow extra time for your journeys and be patient when travelling.
• Cycle or walk for shorter trips or as part of your journey if appropriate, and consider taxis and private hire services as an alternative to public transport.
• Avoid travelling at the busiest times if possible, particularly between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Saturday.
• If you have to use public transport, look after yourself and others by following safety guidance and respecting other passengers.
• On public transport, you must wear a face covering unless you are exempt. Keep your distance from other passengers, clean your hands frequently and use contactless payment.