to 50 people and practice social distancing to contain the spread of the COVID-19, the Lagos Bus Services Limited, LBSL, has directed that no passenger must, henceforth, be allowed to stand in the buses after all the seats must have been occupied.
The Managing Director, LBSL, Mr. Idowu Oguntona, stated that the decision was in full compliance with the State Government’s directive to limit the numbers of public gatherings to a maximum of 50 across the State.
He noted that prior to the index case of COVID-19 and the subsequent directive from the State government, the company had always maintained high hygiene practices in all its buses.
Oguntona, however, stated that in view of the current reality of the COVID-19 outbreak; the Company has started taking more stringent decisions as part of efforts to contain and limit the spread of the virus.
“Based on our usual operating standards, we would pay more attention to the cleaning and sanitising of our buses. As we speak, we have enhanced our cleaning regime to ensure that all surfaces within our buses are properly disinfected, including the handrails, hand poles, seats, drivers’ cabin and dashboards”, he said.
While informing that hand sanitising facilities are being deployed across all its depots, stations and frontline staff areas, Oguntona added that the company is also putting in place necessary parameters to avert further spread of the virus.
In his words, “As we speak now, protective gears are being provided for all our staff that are interacting with commuters, whilst the use of sanitisers in all our stations is now continuous. This is in addition to infrared thermometers that are being deployed at the company headquarters and across our stations and depots”.
“Apart from the aforementioned measures, we are also sensitising all our stakeholders on the available measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease and how to conduct themselves to be safe in our buses”, Oguntona added.
He assured the commuting public that the management of the company will continue to monitor advice and guidance from the Government and Public Health Authorities and make further changes as required.
“In the meantime, we implore you to wash your hands more often for at least 20 seconds. Use soap and water or hand sanitiser when you get home or your workplaces, sneeze, cough, eat or handle food,” he counselled.
He urged Lagosians to call the #COVID19Lagos toll-free line: 08000CORONA, to receive important information from experts on how to stay free from the virus or report a suspected case.