Wearing of masks mandatory inside vehicles
Pillion riding, two wheeler taxi service remain suspended
The state government through the Home department on Friday issued a fresh SOP, applicable state-wide, for both commercial and private vehicles to come into effect from August 9 onwards.
As per the new SOP, both private and commercial passenger vehicles, everyone including the drivers, attendants are to mandatorily wear mask at all times. Those found not wearing a mask will be penalized with an amount of Rs. 200.
Further, pillion riding and two wheeler taxi service shall continue to remain suspended, the order stated. carrying of passenger(s) in any transport vehicle carrying goods/commodities, including water carrier, dumper etc. shall not be permitted.
Commercial passenger vehicles: In buses, and in light vehicles, the maximum occupancy permitted shall be 50%. In case of taxis, and auto rickshaws, the maximum allowed passengers shall be two, without any passenger in the front seat. If there are more than one row, then in each row not more than two passengers will be permitted.
The driver and attendants of every passenger vehicle including taxis, auto-rickshaws and buses, plying within the district, should be asymptomatic and should have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (taken both the doses), or 15 days after the first dose has been taken. If none of the two are fulfilled, the SOP stated that the driver/attendant should carry a Covid-19 negative test report taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 15 days.
In case of inter-district bus service/ taxi service, in addition to the drivers/attendants fulfilling the conditions as mentioned above, the passengers should carry a Covid-19 negative lest report taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 72 hours from the date of travel.
All travelling passengers should be asymptomatic and all passenger vehicles should mandatorily maintain a daily log book of all travellers at the ticket/booking counter, with the following details–name, age and sex, contact number, date of travel and destination.
It said that hand sanitizer/ extra face masks should be carried at all times and all passengers must sanitize their hands before boarding. The vehicles should be washed daily and disinfected periodically.
All the vehicles to the extent possible should move with their windows rolled down. Further, light commercial passenger vehicles including taxis and auto rickshaws are also advised to put a plastic barrier in the vehicle to isolate the driver from the passengers as an added safety measure.
The driver/attendant should mandatorily carry appropriate disinfectants and periodically disinfect frequently touched surfaces of the vehicle such as doors and window handles, seats, overhead hand grips, etc.
Drivers/attendants should not assemble or gather in groups at bus/taxi/auto rickshaw stands. The Municipal/Town Council will ensure installation of adequate hand washing facilities- soap and running water or foot-operated alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer at the bus/taxi/auto rickshaw stand and display adequate IEC materials (posters/ pamphlets/ flex banners).
The Municipal/Town Council in collaboration with the concerned Union/Association of passenger vehicles will conduct an orientation programme on standard preventive measures for drivers and travellers and necessary technical support will be provided by District Task Force.
Private passenger vehicle: In case of a private passenger vehicle, there should not be more than two persons sitting on the middle and rear row seats. In case of rear seats being along the length of the vehicle, not more than one person should sit on each of the rear seats. In the front row seat, including the driver there should not be more than two persons sitting. The occupants of the vehicles should be asymptomatic; they should adhere to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Further, to the extent possible the vehicle should move with the windows rolled down.
Inter-state travellers or those passenger(s) transiting through Nagaland will continue to be guided by the Revised SOP for returnees and inbound travellers issued on July 16, 2021.