Guwahati: In a relief to private bus drivers and conductors Assam State Transport Corporation provided them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) kits.
After lockdown 4.0 and announcement of interstate movement many private buses started operating under ASTC. These private buses are now also being used to bring people from the airport and railway station.
Keeping in view of the safety of these private bus drivers and conductors ASTC have provided them with PPE kits in order to lower the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking to the media the general secretary of ASTC workers association Dwijen Lahkar said, “These are dangerous and scary times as COVID-19 has tightened its grip. People coming from different parts of India to Guwahati through flights, trains, private cars, etc are being taken to quarantine facilities or to their respective districts. In order to protect the drivers and conductors who are bringing these returnees from the railway stations, airports, etc we have provided them with PPE kits so they don’t come into contact with these returnees directly and suffer from COVID-19.”
These drivers and conductors must wear these PPE kits throughout their working hours and after the work is done they are asked to keep the PPE kits at their respective places as guided by the ASTC. Lahakar also added that if necessary they will provide with more PPE kits in the near future, too.
From April 25, Assam Government allowed inter-district movement as many people were facing hard times due to the ongoing COVID19 lockdown across the country.
Due to the sudden lockdown, people were stuck at different places within Assam. So the state government later decided to allow the people to return to their home districts.
The State government also permitted all offices, both public and private, to function with full attendance of staff in lockdown 4.0. Many office-goers depend on public transport for commuting to their respective work places. ASTC is operating some buses in Guwahati and some private buses are also plying with 50% capacity but people are still facing problems due to the lack of buses in the city.
