More needs to be done to protect against Covid-19 on Rea Vaya, says Mbalula
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula visited the Rea Vaya station in Soweto on Thursday morning to check compliance with the level 4 of the lockdown regulations.
Mbalula said the gradual easing of the lockdown regulations mean public transport is playing a more important role.
"We are under no illusion about the importance of public transport in enabling social mobility and access to centres of economic activity. Bus rapid transit systems such as Rea Vaya play a very critical in enabling such mobility.
“The strategic role of transport as an enabler of mobility for people, also means it is a high-risk sector for the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.”
CLEAN & SAFE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) May 14, 2020
Adherence & compliance to stringent safety measures inclusive of effective execution of social distancing, wearing of masks and disinfection of buses and stations is critical.
We are with the Rea Vaya today. pic.twitter.com/MckzK1yT0G
Several measures have been put in place, including the daily disinfection of buses at the depot, Mbalula said, but added that more needs to be done.
"The disinfection of stations at regular intervals is equally important to ensure that surfaces people come into contact with when waiting to board a bus are free of the virus,” he said.
“Adherence to regulations will include scanners that will not only give a full-body sanitization but also temperature scan - social distancing inside the buses is encouraged.”