No water, sanitisers for bus passengers

Tables, chairs have been placed at bus stands without any staff to run the medical camp

LAHORE: Inadequate arrangements at bus stands to prevent coronavirus have alarmed passengers, drivers and staff. Water for washing hands, sanitisers and medical staff have not yet been provided at bus stands.

Steps are being taken by the federal and provincial governments to protect people against coronavirus. However, the Punjab Transport Department had not taken adequate safety measures at bus stands for passengers and staff. While water tanks are placed at a few spots, there is no water and sanitiser.

Reportedly, no measures were taken at bus stands except the hoisting of banners by the transport department for awareness against the disease. Only tables and chairs have been placed at bus stands in the name of medical camps without any staff.

No arrangements were made to prevent the spread of coronavirus at the stands of various private bus companies at Lahore's General Bus Stand, Jinnah Bus Terminal and Band Road.

Transport department officials said that hundreds of thousands of passengers reach the provincial capital from different cities and depart in over 4,000 buses and other vehicles daily.

The Express Tribune approached Punjab Transport Department Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani for comments on the preventive measures, but he did not respond.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2020.