By CK Khanal
Kathmandu, July 12: When the government has decided to allow operation of public vehicles, health experts and general public have expressed doubts about strict implementation of social distancing and health safety standards in passenger vehicles.
They have warned that the decision of the government to allow operating public vehicles could create a terrifying situation of COVID-19 infection if social distance and other health safety measures were not strictly observed in public vehicles.
The government has recently decided to allow operating public vehicles within Kathamndu valley and individual districts to boost up economic activities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic despite the increase in cases of infection in the valley.
However, transport entrepreneurs have decided not to operate their vehicles in given conditions raising certain issues to create a conducive environment for operating public vehicles.
Public health expert Dr. Muni Raj Chhetri said that it was very difficult to maintain the provision of social distancing of 2 metre and other health safety precautions while operating public vehicles.
Though the provision of using mask and sanitiser can be applied, there is no chance to maintain social distancing of 2 metre inside public vehicles, he said, adding that there was no guarantee of complying with these provisions even by passengers in public vehicles.
“Operating public vehicles could be essential in prospect of employment and earning of a large number of workers and entrepreneurs, but it can create a terrifying situation of virus infection when public vehicles are operated without sufficient precautions,” Dr. Chhetri said.
For the operation of public vehicles, social distancing, wearing of mask, using sanitiser, measuring temperature using infrared thermometer and disinfection of vehicles should be strictly regulated, he said.
“Door handles and seats of public vehicles should also be disinfected regularly as there is a chance that persons having infection or family members of infected people may get on these vehicles,” he said.
He said that maintaining social distance while getting on and off buses and at the bus stop would also be equally difficult.
Arjun Pangeni, a temporary resident of Lalitpur, said that he was not convinced about compliance of social distancing and other safety precautions in public vehicles.
“People are freely walking on the streets without wearing masks and maintaining social distance, how one can be ensured of safety from COVID-19 infection while travelling by public vehicles,” Pangeni said.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association Bijaya Bahadur Swar said that transportation entrepreneurs were not ready

to operate their vehicles in the current situation unless the government addressed their concerns.
He said that the government should manage refinance fund for maintenance of vehicles, postpone instalment payment duration, waive interest for the time of lockdown and reduce interest for coming days to create a favourable environment for operating public vehicles.
After the decision of the government some taxis are seen operating in Kathmandu Valley. But taxi drivers said that they were not getting passengers to offer their service even after the decision about public vehicles operation.
In the meantime, Sajha Yatayat is planning to resume bus service in Kathmandu Valley from July 16.
“We have started preparation to call back staff, maintain vehicles and manage health safety provision to start operation. If all preparations complete, we have planned to start bus service in Kathmandu Valley from July 16,” said Mahendra Pandey, chief executive officer of Sajha Yatayat.