The air-conditioning filter elements used in most vehicles are divided into three types: ordinary filter paper filter elements, activated carbon filter elements and HEPA filter elements. At present, it has not been confirmed that ordinary filter paper and activated carbon filter elements can effectively filter the virus of this epidemic. The "Recommendation" reminds that when such vehicles are driving on empty roads, the risk of infection of the people in the vehicle is low. When driving in crowded areas, the outer loop should be closed and masks should be worn to reduce the risk of infection. The National Engineering Laboratory for Electric Vehicles of BIT stated that HEPA has the function of filtering the droplets attached to the new coronavirus. All air-conditioning filter elements, as a protective net for clean air, must be replaced in time.
In addition, the air-conditioning filtration technology used in new energy vehicles is the same as that of traditional vehicles, so the protection recommendations are also the same.
What other ways the virus might spread through cars?
In the “Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for Pneumonia Caused by New Coronavirus Infection (Trial Version 5)” published on the website of the National Health Commission, the route of transmission of the virus is described as “respiratory droplets and contact sexual transmission are the main routes of transmission.” This means In cars, such as door handles, steering wheels, car interiors, etc., different drivers driving the same car in a short period of time are also at risk of infection. After all the people in the car wear masks, contact transmission will be the main way of transmission.
When a suspected patient with new coronary pneumonia is in the car, because the space is closed, it is close contact, and the risk of virus transmission is higher. The droplets carrying the virus are easy to hide in the car. It is necessary to wear a mask, open the outer circulation, strengthen internal and external ventilation, and perform all-round disinfection and cleaning in time. It is worth noting that when driving through densely populated and poorly ventilated areas, opening the windows will also increase the risk of infection.
When do I need to wear a mask in the car?
Private car. When driving on an open road and there is only one driver in the car, you don’t need to wear a mask; if there are many passengers in the car, you must wear a mask and turn on the outer circulation to enhance ventilation; when the vehicle passes slowly through densely populated areas, you must wear a mask , Close the window and use the inner loop.
Taxi, shared car, bus. Wear masks when riding in such public vehicles. At the same time, try to avoid touching the contents of the vehicle and wear gloves when necessary. Persons on duty in public vehicles should wear masks and conduct daily health monitoring; they should wash their hands immediately after arriving at the destination. , Disinfection and other measures. Carry-on items such as mobile phones should also be disinfected.
In addition, when carrying animals in the car, reasonable ventilation should be adopted to avoid close contact between animals and people, and to reduce the number of indirect interpersonal contact through animals.
What should I pay attention to when returning at high speed?
At the peak of the return journey, car owners should not blindly ask for too much concentration when parking in the high-speed rest area. Get off the car and wear a mask. After using the public restroom, they must wash or disinfect their hands. Keep a distance for meals in the high-speed rest area. It is recommended to buy back meals in the car; Or when paying at high speed manually, you need to wear a mask and keep your distance when communicating with staff.
Precautions before and after driving and recommendations for car disinfection methods
Before driving, operating vehicles need to disinfect the inside and outside of the vehicle regularly. Professional drivers need to be equipped with masks, goggles and gloves; when returning to the vehicle from public places, it is recommended to bring their own disinfectant (alcoholic hand cleaners are the easiest to buy) to clean their hands; Passengers should also clean and disinfect their hands before getting on the bus; when they have suspected symptoms (or their physical condition is unknown), they should wear medical surgical masks or N95 masks, keep their distance, and have proper ventilation.
After driving, sit in the car’s compartment and pay attention to cough etiquette; after the infected person (or person with unknown physical condition) gets in the car, the vehicle should be disinfected in all directions and the windows should be opened for ventilation, or the vehicle should be left for more than 10 days, close contact Must be medically quarantined for 14 days; after leaving the vehicle and arriving at the destination, they must wash their hands quickly and disinfect clothes.
Car disinfection positions mainly include: outside the car, including door handles, trunk switches and car keys, etc., inside the car, including seats, seat belts, steering wheels, commonly used buttons, dashboards, shift levers, handles and handbrakes. It is recommended to use disposable disinfection wipes or 75% ethanol for disinfection supplies in the car. Common 84 disinfectant and ethanol can also effectively inactivate the new coronavirus, but it has certain irritation, bleaching and corrosive properties, and will cause a certain degree of damage to car interiors and metals. To avoid fire hazard, please place disinfectant or alcohol in an area not affected by light and heat, such as the trunk. Mainly wipe, do not spray, no open flame.
Summary of prevention and control measures during the use of the vehicle:
Ventilation in an open place, air circulation in a closed environment;
More people wear masks and keep their distance to reduce contact.
Be especially cautious when carrying cases, and disinfect after opening windows for ventilation;
Car disinfection and wiping are the main tasks, and the operation vehicles are carried out regularly.