Trains in the East tested for coronavirus
Greater Anglia has had experts in to swab our regions trains at random to see if there are any traces of coronavirus.
SOCOTEC has so far carried out 40 'biological assessments' on trains, which operate across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, departing or arriving from Liverpool Street.
They say so far the Covid-19 virus has not been detected in any of the swabs.
Different areas of the trains like push buttons, tables, toilet doors, toilet flush buttons, grab handles, and inside the driver cabs were all swabbed.
None were positive.
Martin Moran, who's Greater Anglia's commerical, customer service, and train presentation director, said: "We are using everything available to make sure that our trains are clean and sanitised. SOCOTEC’s tests enable us to triple check the effectiveness of our new cleaning and sanitising regimes.
“We already carry out weekly tests for biological residue to make sure trains are clean so that we can be sure that we have the right conditions for sanitising our trains.
“It’s excellent that all tests have come back negative, but we’re not complacent, and we will continue to keep our trains as hygienic as possible so that our customers can travel with confidence."
Norman Sleeth, who's the managing director of Environment and Safety at SOCOTEC UK, said: "SOCOTEC’s environmental swabbing service is designed to instil confidence in our clients, ensuring that they can operate a safe and compliant service during these challenging times.
“We were delighted to have carried out the swabbing service on behalf of Greater Anglia, helping to maintain their business operations and keep the country moving.”
Greater Anglia say they decided to carry out the tests to work out whether their new cleaning and sanitising regimes are working.
They've invested £600,000 in new cleaning equipment and extra staff in order to keep trains clean and hygienic, so customers feel more confident when travelling.
As well as addition cleaning procedures, they've also bought seven fogging guns.
They spray a fine targeted mist of anti-viral disinfectant which quickly kills off bacteria and viruses in the air, on floors, furniture, walls, ceilings, other surfaces and large internal areas on board trains.
Greater Anglia say every single one of their carriages has been fogged at least once - they're also being used in waiting rooms, toilets and other areas in the station.
People are also reminded to social distance and wear a face covering on all stations and trains unless they are exempt.