Please advise if TfL staff have been made aware that COVID-19 can be spread through touch of contaminated surfaces to include paper. And why newspapers are allowed on trains after being distributed at station entrances.

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TfL Ref: FOI-1564-2021 / FOI-1565-2021 / FOI-1566-2021 / FOI-1567-2021 / FOI-1568-2021 / FOI-1569-2021 / FOI-1570-2021

Thank you again for your requests, listed below, received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7 and 8 November 2020.

Your requests have been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.

FOI-1564-2021

Please advise if TfL staff have been made aware that COVID-19 can be spread through touch of contaminated surfaces to include paper. And why newspapers are allowed on trains after being distributed at station entrances.

TfL employees have all been made aware of government guidance at all stages including the importance of hand washing and hand sanitising. We will continue to follow government guidance and are not aware of specific guidance in relation to newspapers.

FOI-1565-2021

Please advise why TfL have not posted COVID-19 information notices on trains and throughout stations advising the travelling public that COVID-19 is spread via touch of contamination surfaces such as the paper used for newspapers.

We are doing everything we can to make the TfL network safe and clean to use, and are following government guidance. All our signage indicates the need for good hygiene. Please refer to our website for more information on safety and hygiene measures we have implemented.

FOI-1566-2021

Please advise if TfL receive an income or financial gain from the distribution of Metro and Evening Standards newspapers distributed at station entrances.

Yes. More details can be found on our website at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/contracts-greater-than-5000

It lists our contracts with the Evening Standard and the Metro. The value band is the income in these cases.

FOI-1567-2021

Please advise how Metro and Evening Standard newspapers left on trains by reading passengers are disposed of after collection by TfL staff.

Collection of waste left on trains such as newspapers and other items, is managed by a contractor ABM, who dispose of newspapers tied in clear bags into secure bins. In zones 1 & 2 TfL staff attach the secure bin to a bin lift wearing gloves. The bin lift then tips automatically into a dustcart limiting staff exposure with waste. In zones 3-9 secure bins are emptied by contractor Biffa following a similar process.

FOI-1568-2021

Please advise how potentially COVID-19 contaminated Metro and Evening Standard newspapers left on trains by reading passengers are disposed of after collection by TfL staff.

Please see above.

FOI-1569-2021

Please advise if TfL have in place and have trained their staff in procedures for handling items left on trains considering the items could be COVID-19 contaminated.

All TfL staff are briefed on dealing with items left on the train. If it’s a case of lost property this will be removed and taken to the Lost Property Office. Upon arrival, the item will be sanitised before being processed

FOI-1570-2021

Please advise how many people have been fined for not wearing face coverings on tube trains.

As of 6 November 2020, we had issued 631 Fixed Penalty Notices.

We had also;

• Stopped 118, 248 people from getting on public transport services until they put on a face covering. Most complied by getting their face covering from their bag or pocket, putting it on correctly or purchasing one from a nearby shop.
• Prevented 8,486 people from boarding a service.
• Ejected 1,919 people from a service.

You also asked;

Please advise why track and trace procedures are not in operation at TfL stations?

Are TfL aware that the use of track and trace assists the NHS to locate persons who may be carriers of COVID-19?

We are aware of the NHS Test and Trace system, including the NHS COVID-19 app. The UK Government requires that designated venues in certain sectors must have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus. This includes a requirement to display the official NHS QR code. Railway stations (such as TfL stations) are not included on the list of venues that must display the QR code. Given the numbers of passengers who travel through our stations, it is considered that displaying the QR code at stations would result in crowding around specific points. Given the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission when people are in close proximity to each other, we aim to avoid any situations which might result in congestion or crowding, so as a result we have decided not to display the QR code at our stations. We have communicated this to our staff.

Whilst we have answered the above two questions, they do not constitute a valid FOI request. The FOI Act only applies to recorded information held by the public authority, and does not cover requests for unrecorded comments or opinions. In future, please contact TfL’s Customer Services for such information.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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