Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed that, beginning from May 4, 2020, all buses operating within the State must not load beyond a maximum of 60 percent of full capacity.
This, he said, means that a bus that takes 10 people at full capacity must not take more than six persons at any point in time.
Speaking while giving an update on coronavirus and how to partially ease the lockdown on the State, he said that from next week passengers will not be allowed to stand in the State’s Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).
He further mentioned that all air- conditioning systems in public transport systems must be switched off beginning from next week.
The governor further mandated all transport operators, including drivers and conductors, to always wear face masks and hand gloves while in transit and dispose of same appropriately.
He explained that the capacity of the public transportation system is being strengthened to reduce the risk of contagion.
All commuters, according to him, are mandated to wear face masks at all times, sanitize with alcohol-based sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and running water before and after every trip.
The transport operators/companies are also expected to sanitize their vehicles, parks and garages regularly and continuously at least before and after every trip as well as have at the entrance of their respective parks hand washing equipment with running water; and temperature readers to test every passenger before boarding.
“All operators are expected to have alcohol-based sanitizers in their vehicles for drivers, conductors and passengers.
“All motor parks and garages must avoid overcrowding.
“Social distancing is required for passengers queuing up to board buses,” he said, noting that all the guidelines outlined are also applicable to Water Transport Operations.
From May 4, 2020, he noted that Water Transport Operations will be restricted to the period between 6am and 6pm daily, until further notice while commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, are to suspend their operations state-wide, except for those used for courier and logistics purposes.
Similarly, he ordered that tricycles (Kekes) operating in unrestricted areas, must not carry more than two passengers per trip and must ensure appropriate social distancing is maintained between passengers.
He directed that vehicles carrying food and agricultural produce into Lagos from any part of the country must not have more than seven passengers on board, noting that same applies when the vehicles are leaving the state.
“We are compelled to issue this directive because we have in recent weeks seen attempts to conceal people in trucks and other vehicles carrying essential items, with the aim of sneaking them into or out of the State,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had eased the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States, effective from Monday, May 4.
The lockdown was imposed on March 29 as part of measures to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
But Buhari, in a national broadcast on Monday, announced that he had approved gradual easing of the lockdown measures.
He said: “I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.”
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