The Sindh government has allowed the resumption of inter-provincial transport service under-designed standard operating procedures (SOPs), in the wake of coronavirus threat. This was announced by the Sindh Transport Minister Syed Awais Shah on Tuesday. The transporters will comply with the SOPs set by the Sindh government and added that passengers would be bound to wear face masks. The transporters have been directed to ensure social distancing between the passengers. The minister has warned of action against the transporters if SOPs were violated. Sindh on Monday lifted lockdown restrictions on various businesses allowing cinemas, theaters, hotels, restaurants, gyms, tourist spots and shrines to reopen after a hiatus of five months. According to a notification issued by the Sindh government, all kinds of public transport have also been allowed to operate under the government-defined health guidelines to prevent the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the province. The provincial government lifted the restrictions on beauty parlors, gyms and playgrounds and allowed sporting tournament (indoor and outdoor) without spectators and hotel stay under the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs). As per the SOPs, the number of passengers on vehicles was limited to partial capacity while transporters had also been instructed to keep sanitizers in vehicles. Transporters must use bus terminals include the terminal on National Highway Link Road, Karachi Bus Terminal at Sohrab Goth and KDA Bus Terminal in Korangi. Concerned authorities from the Sindh government will inspect the implementation of SOPs and other precautionary steps. “Standard operating procedures (SOPs) violations would lead to legal action against the transporters and bus owners, which may include the suspension of bus services among other penalties, it warned. Furthermore, buses were told only to pick and drop passengers at specific terminals, while buses, terminals and waiting areas were to be cleaned and disinfected.
