display
Berlin / Hofheim (dpa / lhe) - A study is to investigate the risk of corona infection in local public transport.
It will be carried out in the area of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), as the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) announced on Thursday.
To this end, at least 650 selected commuters will be examined by scientists and doctors from the Berlin Charité Research Organization over the next five weeks or so.
The results are expected to be available in April.
The RMV area with its around five million people in large cities, metropolitan areas and more rural areas was chosen because it is representative of local transport use in Germany.
The initially selected 650 test persons are at least 16 years old and have volunteered, including schoolchildren.
The group was reportedly split in half, one of which undertook a daily at least 15-minute one-way trip on public transport.
The other half make their way to work, school or training center by private transport such as a car or bicycle.
At the beginning of the study period and after five weeks, the participants are examined for a Covid-19 infection using PCR and antibody tests.
display
The study is financially supported by numerous federal states.
The uncertainty among many people is great, said the chairman of the conference of transport ministers, Bremen Senator Maike Schaefer (Greens).
The study should provide reliable insights into the actual risk of infection when using buses and trains on a regular basis.
"With this we would like to be able to conduct the discussions on the risk of infection on a scientific basis," explained Schaefer.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210218-99-497722 / 2