The government has decided to allow public transport services from May 6 on conditions amid the restrictions enforced to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections.
Meanwhile, the government extended the ongoing restrictions on public movement until May 16.
The decision about extending the restriction was taken at the weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina via video conferencing, at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Monday.
The meeting decided that only intra-city and intra-district buses will be allowed to transport passengers from May 6.
Long-route buses, launches, and trains will remain suspended until further notice.
In the morning, while talking to the media, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government was considering resuming public transport services for the sake of people's interest ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr following some conditions.
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The conditions are as follows:
● In the districts, public transports will have to ply inside its periphery.
● In the city corporations, buses must not ply beyond its areas.
● Public transports will have to be operated at the newly adjusted fare, keeping half of the seats vacant. No extra fare can be charged.
● Transport workers and passengers must wear masks and use hand sanitizers. Buses have to be disinfected after each trip.
Earlier on Friday, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation called for nationwide protests on Sunday, demanding the resumption of public transport services amid the ongoing lockdown.
Stating that more than 50% transport workers are now jobless and starving, the federation said the government should allow public transports to operate while maintaining health protocols, such as by keeping half of the seats vacant.
The minister, however, urged the transport owners and workers to be patient instead of staging protests.
The services of public transports have remained suspended since April 5 following countrywide lockdown enforced to contain the upsurge of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
Later, the lockdown was extended in phases, and lastly until May 16.