~ President of Minibus Association urges operators to adhere to precautionary measures

FOLLOWING Guyana’s first confirmed case of Covid-19 and the implementation of the 12-hour curfew, minibus operators have been urged to carry half the number of passengers that they usually would. However, operators have indicated that they will suffer a great loss of income. The Ministry of Business has imposed several measures to assist the operators in adhering to the three-foot distancing arrangement that offers some amount of protection to both operators and commuters, from being infected with COVID 19.

As such, the Government has reduced the price of fuel significantly that will obviously help to cushion the shortfall. It is recognized that transportation providers face several types of challenges, including payment of toll.

According to the President of the Minibus Association, Eon Andrews, while it may be argued that owners/operators are losing money and some of them may well have payments to make on their investment, along with other public utility expenses, everyone ought to acknowledge that “we are in a life and death situation that needs commitment, maturity, sacrifice and love for our fellow men, if we are to survive this pandemic with minimal casualties”.

However, there seems to be evidence that a few minibus operators are not adhering to the measures. As such, Andrews, in an appeal, urged operators to desist from their usual everyday activities and adhere to the precautionary measures set out by the relevant authorities.

“We earnestly ask that you desist from placing more than two persons in a seat (one with the driver) that would accommodate the three feet safe distance. Consistently sanitize the inside of your vehicle as well as the door handles and do not increase the prescribed fares since,” he appealed.