Thalys mobilized for the health safety of its passengers
This Tuesday 28th July, the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs in Belgium decided to give certain areas in France a code orange in the context of the fight against the corona virus. On Wednesday 28th July, the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs also decided to give the Netherlands a code orange. For more details, visit the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs.
On 28th July, the Dutch authorities decided to give the Antwerp area a code orange. For more details, visit the website Nederland Wereldwijd.
Thalys’ current transportation offer will be maintained. The railway company takes all necessary precautions to guarantee a completely safe journey aboard its trains.
As of 1st August 2020, travellers to Belgium need to fill out the Passenger Locator Form. This concerns people:
- from all nationalities
- who spent at least 48 hours outside of Belgium
- who will remain in Belgium for at least 48 hours.
This document can be found on on the website of the SPF Foreign Affairs, in English, French and Dutch. It is the passenger's responsibility to fill out and sign the electronic version of this document before embarking on their journey.
Responsible together
The safety, well-being and health of our customers and employees are at the heart of Thalys’ concerns.
In this unprecedented crisis and before the gradual resumption of our activities, Thalys has decided to take strict health and safety measures. They apply in all our trains, on every journey, for all destinations served.
"As an international carrier, we have an important responsibility. This is why we have decided to make three commitments to our customers and employees in order to gradually resume our services:
- maximum safety, through the compulsory wearing of masks and respect for barrier gestures,
- maximum hygiene thanks to a thorough, reinforced cleaning routine of all areas on board our trains,
- maximum support and protection, through the mobilization of all our teams and employees for our customers.
These commitments are a priority for all of us. " said Bertrand Gosselin, CEO of Thalys.
Maximum safety
Since 4 May, Thalys requires all passengers on board its trains throughout its network to wear masks ("general public" masks). Customers who are not wearing masks are not authorized onboard our trains.
To protect both, our customers and employees, Thalys encourages everyone to adopt barrier gestures:
- Avoid contact with other passengers.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Use disposable wipes and tissues.
- Stay at your seat and limit moving around in the train during your journey.
In addition, Thalys provides the necessary facilities for washing your hands in the toilets of its trains.
Reinforced hygiene
A thorough cleaning and preventive disinfection routine of all areas on board our trains are carried out every time the train arrives at the station or in the workshop, i.e. several times a day.
Reinforced cleaning on board our trains
The surfaces preventive disinfection measures particularly focus on, are:
- Passenger areas: shelves, door handles, ventilation grills under windows, blind bars, bin lids.
- Sanitary facilities: all surfaces (toilets, washbasins, ventilation grids).
- Platforms: handrails, door handles, push buttons, bin lids, service telephones, glass surfaces.
- Bar area: tables, push buttons, door handles, bin lids, ventilation grills under windows.
Personnel mobilized to support and protect our customers
Since the first days of the Covid-19 confinement measures, Thalys has raised awareness and trained all its employees to adopt barrier gestures. A health watch for all employees was set up in March.
For the protection of its employees, Thalys has provided them with masks. At boarding, bollard devices fitted with protective glass have been installed. In addition, should a customer present Covid-19 symptom on board a Thalys, the Train Manager could isolate them by providing a surgical mask. The Train Manager would also immediately inform the company's Operations Centre, which would coordinate the information of the competent health authorities.
