AC buses told to remove curtains, stop distributing bedsheets

After chairing a review meeting of the preventive measures to be taken in the transport sector here, Vijayabhaskar said the meeting was held following the Chief Minister’s directive in the wake of World Health Organisation declaring COVID-19 as pandemic and the Centre declaring it as a notified disaster.

“The minister has directed the operators of the AC buses to remove the curtains and reduce the temperature of the ACs. Considering the passengers’ welfare, we have decided to stop distributing bedsheets. If anyone requires bedsheets, they must carry one,” an official release said.

Since March 9, all the 21,092 buses of the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation was being operated only after cleaning them with disinfectants.

“All the bus depots were directed to maintain adequate staff and stock of disinfectants. The workers involved in the cleaning were told to wear hand gloves, mask and apron. Moreover, the toilets and the bus crew waiting room were being told to disinfect. Buses were being operated only after the technical supervisor ensuring carrying out of all preventive measures,” the minister said, adding that with the help of the local body staff on the State’s borders, the buses coming from other states were being monitored and disinfectants used to clean them.