City bus services to resume Wednesday

The government has decided to resume public transport services in all city corporations including Dhaka on Wednesday amid the coronavirus lockdown, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Tuesday.

According to the new decision, city buses will ply from 6am to 6pm from Wednesday. But inter-district bus services will remain suspended as usual.

At a press conference on Tuesday evening, the minister said the government made the decision on resuming public transport services considering the woes of the office-goers.

He said public buses will have to comply with the government's previous directives on keeping half the seats vacant.

On virus safety measures, Quader said vehicles will have to be disinfected before and after each trip. Besides, the transport workers and passengers will have to wear face masks and sanitise hands.

He also warned bus operators against overcharging passengers.

Obaidul Quader further said long-haul transportation will remain suspended until further notice.

He sought the cooperation of transport owners, workers and passengers in complying with the government's directives to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Bangladesh enforced a seven-day lockdown on Monday in the face of spiking Covid-19 infection in the country. In the 18-point lockdown guidelines, the government said markets, shopping malls and public transportation will remain closed during the week-long lockdown.