Balochistan gives green signal to public transport

Violation of 18-point SOPs could result in closure of transport service again

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has allowed resumption of public transport in the province subject to 18-point SOPs.

Passengers will have to wear masks, disinfection spray on public transport including buses and vehicle is mandatory but violations could result in closure of transport again.

According to a notification issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Balochistan on Sunday, inter-provincial and inter-district public transport has been allowed to re-open in Balochistan.The notification stated that SOPs issued by the provincial government, including disinfection spray in vehicles will be required before departure and arrival of public.

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“Buses and vans will have to provide hand sanitizers and passengers sitting will have to leave an empty seat in between them,” it read. “Transporters will have to keep a record of each and every passenger apart from checking their temperature with a thermal gun so that people with fever cannot travel.”

It is pertinent to note that passengers, drivers and conductors are also required to wear masks while traveling. No one will be allowed to travel without the mask.Apart from the aforementioned measures, no one will be allowed to sit in the corridor of buses.  “Only three passengers will be able to travel in taxi cars, 18-seater van will be able to travel with only 10 passengers. Crowds and congestion will not be allowed at bus and wagon points whereas a hand washing facility will be available at terminals and bus points.”The government notification concluded that customers will not be allowed inside the terminals without masks.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2020.