Yemisi Izuora
As part of the efforts by the Lagos State Government to further prevent a State- wide spread of COVID-19 especially in motor parks, garages and other public transportation related environment, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has issued for transport operations in the state.
In the new rule all Transport Operators/Companies are expected to sanitize their parks and garages regularly and continuously at least before and after each trip, and place at the entrance to their respective parks/garages, washing hand equipment with soap and running water.
The policy expects provision of alcohol based sanitizers in Vehicles for the use of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers while operators of vehicles are not allowed to over crowd/over load their vehicles at this point in time while Passenger’s spacing must be fully observed.
It said the Nigerian Disease Control Centre NCDC recommends that at least 2m (5feet) distance is required between anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
It also ordered that there will be no standing in all BRT and LBSL bus operations and buses should be at 60 per cent capacity and not 100 per cent i.e danfo and other commercial buses)
Also, all Air Conditioning System in public transport should be put off and all public transport Operators/Company must have 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 directives 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.”, the ministry said.
