Covad -19: Lagos rolls out guidelines for transport operations

• no danfo operator can carry more than eight passengers
• use of air conditioners by any vehicle banned
• ban on okada all over the state
• tricycles wishing to operate must not exceed two passengers

Lagos has rolled out a broad list of guidelines for transport operations, which would kick- off on Monday as the state enters the phased lifting of lockdown and imposition of curfew.

Under the guideline, no danfo operator can carry more than eight passengers, including conductor/bus assistant while all Bus Rapid Transits including the state operated Lagos Bus Services must not exceed 20 passengers.

Lagos Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde, accompanied by the Special Adviser on Transportation Oluwatoyin Fasanya, said the ground rules was meant to guide voluntary compliance as the government would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone who flouts the law.

The government also restated its ban on okada all over the state, while tricycles wishing to operate must not exceed two passengers.

The government warned against price hike by any transport operator, urging any resident with any complaint or arbitrary price hike to report to his office either by voice or SMS via 08034006683.

Olafeinde said the use of air conditioners by any vehicle remained banned even as Uber and Taxi and kabukabu operators are mandated not to carry more than two persons in their vehicles.

The government said it was working with the top echelons of security agencies to ensure that officers and other ranks who often engage in transport services help the government by complying with the set rules meant to protect lives in the state.

According to the Commissioner, until the war against the deadly virus is won, commercial and commuter operations shall be within 6am and 7pm daily.

Passengers/commuters are mandated to wear face mask at all times, wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each trip and sanitise their hands with alcohol- based sanitiser.

For transportation of all wastes, the Commissioner said handlers, especially those handling the transportation of infectious wastes used by the medical staff treating COVID-19 patients and other wastes generated at isolation centres, should wear appropriate protective gears, appropriately secure each waste vehicle and disinfect such after each operation.

For logistics operators, Oladeinde said drivers and assistants of such trucks must always use face masks and apply sanitisers, while all vehicles carrying farm produce and food items in and out of the state must not carry more than seven passengers.