KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government has agreed to enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operation of express buses that carry passengers and goods throughout the state during the recovery movement control order (RMCO), effective tomorrow.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said among the SOPs is a bus capacity limit of 50% based on seats, to ensure physical distancing is always maintained.
He also said drivers and passengers should undergo screenings and temperature checks before boarding the bus. This is in addition to the use of face masks at all times, hand sanitisers, and reducing interactions with other passengers on the bus.
“Drivers will not be allowed to work if they have symptoms (of Covid-19). In addition, the driver or bus operator has the right to prevent passengers from boarding the bus if they (passengers) have symptoms. Drivers will be asked to make periodic announcements on the wearing of face masks on the bus.
“Express bus operators can only pick up and drop off passengers at the terminal. Express buses are not allowed to stop anywhere, including at restaurants,” he said in a statement here today.
Masidi reminded every passenger crossing zones to get police permission first, and said the state government encourages the purchase of express bus tickets online or to use cashless transactions such as the monthly pass and Touch ‘n Go.
Drivers and passengers are encouraged to register themselves every time they use the bus service via QR code using the MySejahtera app, or manually by writing down their personal information, he said.
He said operators are encouraged to disinfect the buses every two hours.
Meanwhile, Masidi, who is also state Covid-19 spokesman, said a total of 71 new positive cases were recorded today, bringing the cumulative total of cases in the state to 53,864.
He said 77 patients have recovered and been discharged, bringing the state’s total number of recoveries to 52,711.
A total of 1,494 individuals received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine today, marking a cumulative total of 22,464 recipients since the state-level National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme was launched on March 4, he added. – Bernama, March 13, 2021
