A NORTH-EAST bus company has responded to concerns that bus drivers could be at risk of contracting coronavirus while carrying out day-to-day duties at work.

Arriva North East, which runs services across Darlington, County Durham and Teesside, said it was currently following guidance from Public Health England over driver safety.

Yesterday, the mother of a London bus driver who died after contracting coronavirus, claimed that drivers should be 'adequately protected' during the pandemic.

Emeka Nyack Ihenacho, understood to be one of nine bus drivers who have died across the UK, was 'at risk' of COVID-19 according to his mother, Anne Nyack.

She said: "They (bus drivers) are at risk, my son was at risk, sadly he died. He was given hand sanitiser - he had no mask, no gloves, nothing. Plus, he was asthmatic, he was open to the elements."

However, speaking to The Northern Echo a spokesperson for Arriva North East said the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not currently being recommended for transport workers.

It said: “The safety of our passengers and colleagues is Arriva’s number one priority. 

"We are being guided every step of the way by expert organisations such as the World Health Organisation and Public Health England on measures to put in place to protect our staff and passengers.

"While the use of masks and gloves is not currently recommended for transport workers by the expert organisations, we have taken other measures to protect their health and wellbeing and those of our passengers."

In safety measures, the firm said it had enforced social distancing measures on its buses

Arriva North East said it had cordoned off seats within two metres of the driver's cab, 'ensured' all drivers' cabs were fitted with protective screens for 'additional protection.'

The firm also said it had enhanced its deep cleaning regime to include all touch points. 

The firm added: "We are also making every effort to ensure our customers are following the advice and guidelines by providing current government advice on all of our channels. 

“Since before the lockdown we have pursued all avenues to procure hand sanitiser, and we can now confirm that supplies are reaching our sites and should be available to all colleagues within our depots by the end of this week. 

 “We continue to closely follow and monitor advice from the Government and Public Health England to adjust our approach as and when needed.”