COVID-19: No More Standing On BRT Buses – Lagos Govt Sets New Rules

Lagos State Government on Sunday, March 22 has issued a new guideline on BRT bus operation in the state, most especially how passengers should be regulated due to the current spread of Coronavirus across the city.

The statement which was delivered by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde noted that the new directive is a part of the continuous effort to curb the spread of the deadly pandemic in Lagos State.

He stated further that the Lagos State Government has now banned passengers from standing on public buses, no more overcrowding of passengers in other to prevent a state-wide spread of COVID-19 especially in motor parks, garages and other public transportation-related environments.

Oladeinde, however, warned that the new guidelines on public transportation must be adhered to by all commuters.

The statement reads in full: “All Transport Operators/Companies are expected to sanitize their parks and garages regularly and continuously (at least before and after each trip).

“All Transport Operators/Companies are expected to have at the entrance to their respective parks/garages, washing hand equipment with soap and running water.

“All Operators are expected to have alcohol-based sanitizers in their Vehicles for the use of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers.

“All Operators are not allowed to overcrowd/overload their vehicles at this point in time, Passenger’s spacing must be fully observed. NCDC recommends that at least 2m (5feet) distance is required between anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

“No standing in all BRT and LBSL bus operations. All buses should be at 60% capacity and not 100% (i.e danfo and other commercial buses).”

“All Air Conditioning System in public transport be put off. All public transport Operators/Company must have a temperature reader to test each passenger before boarding the bus.”

“All drivers and conductors should always wear hand gloves and nose guides while in transit.

“All passengers are also required to sanitize themselves before and after each trip. Passengers are also required to regularly wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each trip.”

“Operators/Companies and passengers are expected to report any suspected case of COVID-19 to the Ministry of Transportation or call 08000CORONA.

“Passenger are also expected to report any Operator/Company that does not comply with these guidelines to the Monitoring Officer at sight or write to the Ministry, stating the Vehicle Registration Number, Park and Time.

“With this directive well disseminated to you our transport stakeholders and the men of the realms of fourth estate, we are confident that together we can put off this ranging fire of COVID-19.

“Together we can stop further spread of the virus in Lagos State and Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Naija News had reported earlier that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that three new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Lagos State.