Raincoats provide protective barrier against Ebola

Ebola Outbreak

Being in close contact with someone infected with the Ebola virus is a concern for public transportation workers in Sierra Leone.

A creative solution is being used to help ensure the safety of drivers and passengers. CCTV’s Nina deVries reports.

Raincoats providing protective barrier

Being in close contact with someone infected with the Ebola virus is a concern for some public transportation workers in Sierra Leone.

Many people get around Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, on commercial motorbikes, known as ocadas.

Since the Ebola outbreak, many drivers have lost money because they have fewer passengers. People are nervous about Ebola and are traveling less. And bikers should be taking preventive measures against Ebola, according to the Sierra Leone Biker Riders Union.

Some bikers have been given raincoats to wear in an attempt to protect against Ebola. It is transmitted through bodily fluids such as sweat. That can play a factor in transmission from a passenger and vice versa.

The bikers are also encouraged to carry bottles filled with chlorine water so that they and their passengers can wash their hands.