Face masks to be compulsory on MTC buses after lockdown

An instruction to this effect was part of an internal circular issued by the MTC to its branch managers, divisional manager, bus terminus in-charges and employees.

The State government has announced that the lockdown would continue till May 3. The MTC bus services were suspended since March 24 and only 200 buses are being operated for the benefit of essential service workers.

In the direction to its crew, MTC said that passengers boarding without mask should not be allowed to travel. “All passengers should maintain social distance on the bus, too,” it said, adding that the buses should ply the routes only after ensuring that it was disinfected. It asked all its employees to compulsorily wear face masks and wash hands using soap every one hour.

“They should install Arogya Setu app in their mobile phones and they should immediately call 104 if they find anyone infected near them,” it said, adding that they should always carry a 50 ml bottle of hand sanitiser with them.

They should clean table, chair, computer, mouse, keyboard, steering wheel, cash bag and tools two or three times during their work time, it said, adding that the employees should maintain social distancing at their workplace.

The corporation has asked its conductors to use wet sponge while issuing tickets. Often, conductors could be seen using their saliva while issuing tickets. “After the end of every trip, the driver and conductor should wash their hands,” the circular said.

At the depots, all buses should be cleaned and disinfected before starting the journey. Control section, crew restroom and canteen at the depots should also be disinfected daily. Any worker with symptoms of the COVID-19 should not be allowed into the workplace and sanitiser or water and soap should be made available for hand wash at the entrance of each depot.

Bathrooms and toilets at depots should also be maintained properly and disinfected twice a day.