With heightened concern about communicable diseases like swine flu, San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based Silverado Stages Inc. extended its winter flu season prevention program through spring.

Swine flu is spread person to person through coughing and sneezing by infected people.

Precautions Silverado is taking and urge other operators to be aware of include:

• If you are sick, stay home to avoid contact with other people and risk infecting them.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the tissue in the trash after using it.

• Wash your hands often using soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  Germs spread that way.

• Consider using a facemask, although effectiveness is questionable.

 Silverado Stages is taking the following action to protect the health of its passengers:

• All motorcoaches are equipped with instant hand sanitizer.

• After each use of its coaches, the interior is treated with an effective and environmentally friendly disinfectant that is applied by spray and has 24-hour residual protection.

 Silverado Stages is one of the largest privately owned motor coach companies with terminals in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Sacramento in California and a fleet of more than 70 late-model coaches.