Solidarity buses' launched to transport COVID-19 patients in Barcelona

To tackle the spread of COVID-19, a new volunteer-driven bus service has been launched in Barcelona. Volunteers have been recruited to transport COVID patients to hospitals to reduce the spread of the virus and help ease pressure on emergency services. Transfers of patients with Covid-19 are now underway using Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) buses driven by volunteers. Six transfers were conducted in the first two days, each with a different driver, carrying a total of 105 people discharged from hospital. The service takes people from the hospitals where they were treated to confinement facilities away from their own homes, such as medical centres, hotels and other buildings being converted for this purpose. A strict protocol applies, meaning the vehicles are cleaned and disinfected thoroughly every day. Staff also wear protective suits and are supported by health workers to prevent any risk of infection. Once the transfer is completed, the staff go through a cleaning and decontamination process at the depot.