Paris (AFP)

A RATP agent working at a station on line 6 of the Paris metro and in contact with the public has been infected with the coronavirus, but her condition is improving and this has no impact on the network, according to the public company.

"The agent is getting better, and the situation is being closely monitored by the occupational doctor and the company. The RATP has contacted the Regional Health Agency and it will follow its recommendations. Information is also in progress in the employee's working environment and with the social partners, "said a spokesperson for the Régie, confirming information revealed by RTL.

The discovery of the coronavirus case has so far "no impact on operations on the entire network, including on line 6" which connects Etoile to Nation via Denfert-Rochereau, assured the spokesman at the 'AFP.

According to an information note to agents of line 6 that AFP obtained, the employee warned Wednesday that she had been hospitalized since the day before following a private stay in the region made during her holidays, between February 17 and 24.

This note, dated the same day, states that the officer was, on her return, in contact with colleagues from February 26 to 28.

This agent had stayed in "a confirmed home" of the coronavirus. She worked in three stations of line 6 during the three days concerned, and was brought into contact with the public to sell tickets or inform travelers, said the spokesman. All the places where she worked were "cleaned and disinfected," he said.

Among the colleagues with whom she may have been in contact, "a dozen people are concerned". They were "informed by the company and reported to occupational medicine, which contacted the regional health agency for any measures adapted to the situation," he said.

- "prevention kits" -

"The Regional Health Agency will immediately investigate and say who should stay at home", commented on Europe 1 the Minister of Labor Muriel Pénicaud.

"As soon as there is contamination, it is the Regional Health Agency which makes an investigation with all the people who have been in contact", and these "contact persons (...) stay at home, to those who have high risks, time to ..., to avoid the spread, "she said.

"What is called contact is prolonged, close contact, for a long time, which can lead, as health authorities say, to the emission of infectious droplets which are transmitted", detailed the minister.

"Do not panic," said Ms. Pénicaud, saying that a possible right of withdrawal of RATP agents cannot apply.

"A right of withdrawal is never collective. It is individual, and it is if there is a serious or imminent danger to your life or your health. There are very few work situations of this type there, "she argued, citing the Labor Code.

"We are continuously informing employees of the evolution of the situation in order to answer the legitimate questions of our agents who are in contact with the public," said the spokesperson for RATP.

Management has distributed hydroalcoholic gel or wipes to staff without a water point and will soon make available to agents in contact with the public - drivers, station officers and security services-- "prevention kits" to "assist people with symptoms, travelers or colleagues". These kits will include instructions for use, disinfectant wipes, a pair of gloves and a bag for disposing of items after use.

More generally, "we remain vigilant and we scrupulously respect government instructions," noted the spokesman. "There are no contraindications given by the public authorities to travel by public transport".

RATP accounts for 7 million trips per day in the Paris metro.

© 2020 AFP