The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, has released Protocols for Land Transport Services, specifically for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and Driving Schools to ensure safe services for the public.
These protocols are built on the directives issued in April 2021, mandating all bus, minibus and taxi drivers to wear masks, and disallow passengers who do not wear a mask.
“The protocols are necessary to assist our stakeholders in providing safe services to the public. We also took into consideration the limitations and challenges PSV operators face to see how best the transport sector can economically sustain itself. Following these minimum mandatory principles, we are now also considering Driving Schools that are still closed in the Lami-Suva-Nausori containment area,” said Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Hon. Faiyaz Koya.
“Ultimately, the aim is to get back to some degree of normalcy amidst COVID safe protocols. We need to have a fully vaccinated population – including bus and taxi drivers so health does not suffer. Until we are able to do that, these stringent protocols will remain,” added Hon. Faiyaz Koya.
Some of the mandatory requirements that must be followed include, but are not limited to:
i. Drivers and passengers on public transport must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, such as masks.
ii. Hygiene practices, such as hand sanitisation must be adhered to. The vehicle must also be sanitised between trips.
iii. Temperature of drivers, especially bus drivers, must be taken at the beginning and end of the shift.
iv. Physical distance of 2-metre to be maintained at all times in the vehicle.
v. Public transport must operate with 50% capacity. For example, if a bus has 60 seater capacity they must only have 30 passengers, that is, one passenger per seat. For taxis, only 3 passengers are permitted.
vi. Passengers must maintain 2-metre physical distancing whilst waiting for the bus, boarding and disembarking the bus or minibus.
vii. The PSV must open windows to ensure adequate ventilation.
Public transport movement must be within the respective zones. For example, PSVs can only operate within the containment zone, whilst in non-containment zones, PSVs can only operate within the non-containment zone.
Contact tracing is critical in quick detection of the spread of COVID-19. The drivers must ensure that passengers have careFIJI app downloaded and device Bluetooth switched on.
Providers of public transportation must also register and acquire, careFIJI check-in, a unique digital geo-identification indicator, QR Code (
checkin.digitalfiji.gov.fj). The QR Code must be displayed in entry and exit points for buses, whilst it should be prominently displayed in a taxi or minibus for all passengers to scan when entering and getting off the vehicle. All passengers must scan the QR Code using their careFIJI application when getting on or off the vehicle. The operator must apply for a separate QR Code for each PSV they own.
The Driving Schools, in addition to maintaining minimum protocols, must also ensure that only the learner and driving instructor are permitted in the vehicle.
Instructors and learners must keep windows down to facilitate ventilation at all times. During adverse weather conditions, driving instructions must not take place and learning rescheduled to a later date.
The vehicle used for learning must be disinfected prior to and after the instruction session is completed.
The Land Transport Authority will undertake driving tests in accordance to COVID safe protocols and ensure that prior to undertaking tests, the vehicle is disinfected.
Visit:
https://www.mcttt.gov.fj/covid-19-essential-business-and-movement/ to access the Protocols.