Filenews 8 March 2021
The following guidelines were issued by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works in the context of preventing the spread of coronavirus.
1. Public Passenger Transport
1.1. The maximum number of passengers who can carry public transport – M.D.M. (Regular Passenger Buses with fare per passenger, Buses with E-license, Buses used for closed-door bus services to and from airports (shuttle)), as well as private buses licensed for road use, in all provinces of Cyprus, is set at 50% of the capacity of each bus , with the exception of buses for which a special permit is granted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, which determines a higher percentage of capacity
1.2. The maximum number of passengers who can carry buses carrying exclusively students, to and from their educational institutions (public and private), in all provinces of Cyprus is set at 50% of the capacity of each bus.
1.3. The maximum number of passengers who can carry buses with a long-term family Road Licence shall be set at 100% of the capacity of each bus.
1.4. The maximum number of passengers that taxis can carry is 50% of the number specified in the Taxi License Agreement. Where 50% is not an integer, the number is rounded to the following integer.
2. Private Passenger Transport
2.1. Private vehicles may be loaded by persons of the same family (household), including minor children of the family, depending on the capacity of the vehicle, without the use of a mask.
2.2. In cases of movement by vehicle of persons from different households, up to three (3) persons, including the driver, may be on board the vehicle, with the necessary use of a mask.
2.3. For travel for work purposes with a private vehicle with a capacity of more than five (5) persons (e.g. construction workers, transporters, etc.), up to four (4) persons, including the driver, may be on board with the necessary use of a mask.
2.4. For travel for work purposes with a private vehicle with a capacity of up to five (5) persons, up to three (3) persons, including the driver, may be on board with the necessary use of a mask.
3. Additional Directives on Public Passenger Transport
3.1. Where there is no driver's canopy and protective film separating him from the passenger entrance, the seats behind the driver and the first seat on the left (guide's seat – where available) must remain empty.
3.2. All necessary measures shall be taken to avoid overcrowding during boarding and disembarkation.
3.3. At the entrance of each bus there must be a liquid hand antiseptic for use by all passengers.
3.4. Buses must be cleaned and disinfected frequently, in any case before the start of the service and during the day. Cleaning/disinfection shall be carried out at least every four routes and, where possible, cleaned/disinfected at the end of each route. Cleaning/disinfection should be done with care, especially on surfaces frequently touched such as handles, handles, metal surfaces, safety belts, rails, etc., using disinfectants and materials recommended by the Ministry of Health.
3.5. At each bus stop, at the end of each route and at each break, the bus doors remain open, as well as the windows and skylight panels if any.
3.6. The buses referred to in paragraph 1.2 of this notice must, in addition to the general guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of the buses mentioned above, be disinfected before and after the transport of pupils.
3.7. It is recommended that students sit daily in a predetermined position where possible.
3.8. It is also recommended that pupils belonging to the same department or siblings sit in adjacent seats.
3.9. Buses do not use air-recycling air conditioners and windows and skylight panels (open) are used where they exist.
3.10. The use of a protective face mask by workers and passengers on all Regular Passenger Buses at a fare per passenger, as well as on all means of public transport (taxi, tourist buses, closed-door bus services to and from airports (shuttle)) regardless of age, continues to be mandatory in all provinces.
Source: eyenews
