Passenger Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday that public transport services should strictly adhere to the health and security sector instructions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when prevailing curfew is relaxed from May 11.
Minister Amaraweera made these remarks during a discussion held with officials of GMOA and private bus owners yesterday on measures aimed at minimizing the risk of contagion during the implementation of public transport services.
The GMOA stressed that measures should be taken to reduce infection risk on public transport even though the COVID-19 spread in the country is under control to a certain extent.
The Minister said that he will send a letter to the WHO requesting guidelines on the implementation of safe public transport systems in the country.
Meanwhile, attention has been paid to several requests made by private bus owners including a fuel subsidy and carrying passengers based on the seats available in the bus.
The Minister further said even though the requests are fair, it is impossible to provide further relief at this point of time since all revenue avenues of the Government have been blocked due to the pandemic.