RAIL staff have been banned from using whistles and checking tickets to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

ScotRail conductors are among those only allowed to blow their whistles in an emergency and no longer for signalling to the driver.

However, even in those situations, they must still be at least two metres away from anyone else.

Other changes include staff no longer checking tickets on trains and they will instead focus on cleaning duties. They are also no longer selling tickets to passengers on trains.

Conductors and ticket examiners on trains have been redeployed from checking fares to cleaning “touchpoint” areas such as door buttons, handles and grab rails which passengers most often come into contact with.

Tables, arm rests and toilets, taps and sinks are also being cleaned more frequently.

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A ScotRail spokesman said: “There have been industry-wide guidelines issued to minimise the use of whistles during the train dispatch process, though they may still be used in emergency situations.

“It is primarily to do with hygiene and contamination on shared equipment, which isn’t as relevant for our people as we issue personal whistles to each member of staff who requires one for their role.

“We have issued instruction that if a whistle has to be used, then it should be at least 2m away from any other person.”