Filenews 9 May 2021
Guidelines for public passenger transport were issued by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Giannis Karousos on the basis of the latest decree on measures against the crown pandemic.
In particular, it is stated that the maximum number of passengers who can carry the Public Transport – M.D.M. (Regular Passenger Transport Buses at a fare per passenger) in all the 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.
The maximum number of passengers who may be carried on Buses with An E Licence, 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, are fixed as 50% of the capacity of each bus, unless the following are observed, where the maximum number of passengers that these Buses can carry is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus.
For persons aged 18 years and over, there is, either a negative laboratory examination or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in cases of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no six-month period has passed from the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis or Cyprus Flight Pass as specified in section 2.18(a) of the relevant Decree ((No. 16) of 2021).
Persons aged 12 to 17 years shall be subject to a certificate of negative diagnostic rapid antigen detection on a weekly basis.
It is clarified that persons under the age of 12 years of age do not require the above.
Also according to the guidelines, the maximum number of passengers who can be carried on buses carrying exclusively students, to and from their educational institutions (public and private), in all provinces of Cyprus is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus.
The maximum number of passengers who can be carried on buses with a long-term family road licence is set at 100% of the capacity of each bus.
The maximum number of passengers that taxis can carry is 100% of the number specified in the taxi's Road License Agreement, with the exception of the front seat next to the taxi driver.
In addition, it is stated that on a bus if there is no driver's canopy and a protective film separating him from the passenger entrance, the seats behind the driver as well as the first seat on the left (guide's seat – where available) must remain empty.
It should be noted that all necessary measures should be taken to avoid overcrowding during boarding and disembarkation.
At the entrance of each bus there must be a liquid hand antiseptic for use by all passengers.
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, metal surfaces, safety belts, rails, etc., using disinfectants and materials recommended by the Ministry of Health.
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.
Buses which are given special permission, in addition to the general guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of the buses mentioned above, must be disinfected before and after the transport of pupils.
It is recommended that students sit daily in a predetermined position where possible, such as students belonging to the same department or siblings sitting in adjacent seats and as on buses air conditioners are not used and windows and skylight panels (open) are used where they exist.
It is noted that 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.
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