The Ministry of Transport has identified six (06) buses in which recently detected COVID-19 patients had allegedly commuted.
Minister Gamini Lokuge told media that patients had reportedly travelled on ND 4890 from Colombo to Medagama, ND 2350 from Makumbura to Galle, ND 549 from Ambalangoda to Kadawatha, 6503 from Colombo to Jaffna, ND 9788 from Elpitiya to Colombo, and NF 7515 from Galle to Kadawatha.
All highway buses were monitored using GPS technology, he said.
Minister Lokuge said that operators of luxury buses must check the temperature of passengers prior to boarding them, adding that at present there was a significant reduction in the number of passengers traveling in luxury buses.
Bus operators must pay more attention on the health of passengers traveling in their buses, he said.
“We are requesting operators of air-conditioned buses to check the temperature of passengers prior to allowing them to board the bus. If there is any suspicion on the temperature, operators can inform the relevant area health authority. The number of passengers have reduced despite the usual fleet of buses plying in the country. Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, 1600 buses were operating on a daily basis with nearly 25,000 passengers. However, now only 666 buses are operating with approximately 5,691 passengers. We intend to provide maximum support and protection for passengers during this pandemic,” he said.
Minister Gamini Lokuge further advised the public to contact the hotline 1955 to lodge complaints or make inquiries with regard to buses during the coronavirus pandemic.