The Lagos State Government on Thursday issued fresh guidelines for public transport operations in the state as part of the controlled measures to ease the lockdown over COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, released the guidelines at a news conference in Lagos.
According to him, public transport operations within the state shall be between 6am and 7pm daily from May 4.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the new guidelines bring a slight difference to the Federal Government’s directive that ordered 8pm to 6am curfew in Lagos and Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from May 4.
Oladeinde told newsmen that the guidelines should be followed by commuters and transport operators in the state until further notice.
He reiterated that inter-state operation had been suspended until further notice, except for essential services.
According to him, the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, has been suspended indefinitely across the state.
The Commissioner said commuters were mandated to wear face mask at all times, sanitise their hands with alcohol base sanitisers or wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each trip.
Oladeinde said: “All transport operators/companies are expected to disinfect their vehicles, parks and garages regularly and continuously in collaboration/supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to ensure standards and safety of the disinfectant being used.
“All transport operators/companies are expected to have at the entrance of their respective parks hand washing equipment with running water and alcohol-based sanitisers.
“Disinfectant companies are to be guided by the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
“Operators are expected to have alcohol-based Sanitisers in their vehicles for both drivers, conductors and passengers.”
According to Oladeinde, motor parks and garages must not be overcrowded with passengers and commercial activities at any point in time.
He said social distancing was required for passengers queuing to board buses according to the guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
He said: “NCDC recommends that at least 2m (5feet) distance is required between people; operators are not allowed to over crowd/over load their vehicles at this point in time.
“All public buses should be 60 per cent capacity (i.e for busees, one passenger with driver in front seat, two passengers on the back rows each and two passengers for tricycle).”
