Extra measures will be introduced at train stations to remind travellers of the 1.5 metre rule and keep the station environment safe, NS and rail network operator ProRail have announced.

The package includes markers on the floor to indicate distance at busy spots such as staircases, escalators and ticket machines. Cleaning will be stepped up as well, particularly of stair railings, buttons and door handles.

Arnhem Centraal, Amsterdam Zuid, Utrecht Centraal, Gouda, Culemborg and Groningen Noord will be the first stations to display the boards and pictograms of the rules to be followed by all train stations from May 11.

If effective the measures will be rolled out across the whole of the public transport sector, NS said.

The coronavirus railway rules:

• Keep to the 1.5 metre distance
• Keep to the right as much as possible
• Avoid touching objects in the station as much as possible
• Keep a distance of 4 steps on the escalator
• Do not use the elevator if there is more than two of you
• Keep a distance of 5 tiles on the platform

NS has already started testing trains designed to enable people to follow the 1.5 metre rule by using screens and signs prohibiting the use of adjacent chairs. However, public transport body NOVB called on the infrastructure ministry last Friday to make face masks compulsory for staff and travellers because it deems the rule ‘unworkable’, public broadcaster NOS reported.

Only healthcare workers and other key professions are currently supposed to travel on public transport.