.jpg )
The government has decided to allow public transport services to resume operations in city corporation areas from Wednesday as the country passes a weeklong lockdown enforced to curb Coronavirus transmission.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said they would be allowed to operate between 6am and 6pm.
Public transport services will operate in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur and Mymensigh city corporation areas.
Also read: Lockdown in Bangladesh enters day 2 amid public apathy
But they will have to leave half the seats empty, the minister said in a press statement.
All long distance public transport services will remain suspended until further instructions from the government.
At the start and end of every trip, all buses must be sanitised, the minister said.
Also read: Experts find lockdown in Bangladesh “unscientific, halfhearted”
Staff and passengers must wear face masks and use hand sanitiser, the Road Transport and Bridge minister added.
Quader warned that taking any extra fare from the passengers than the adjusted one won’t be allowed.
He said this order will be effective from April 7.