Police officers in plain clothes to monitor public transportation

The government will be adopting tough measures including policing in public and private buses to maintain strict Covid prevention guidelines issued by the health ministry and a better service for commuters, official sources said. In a bid to manage passenger transport safely amidst the fearful second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the present administration has taken exit strategies from the curfew and lock down status with the assistance of law enforcement authorities.

The camouflage protection teams of the police are to be deployed as decoys in public and private passenger transport buses to ensure that commuters adhere to health guidelines, a senior official revealed.  

Furthermore, police officers in civilian clothing will be deployed to monitor public transport services, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said, adding that the purpose of the exercise is to prevent reckless driving and violation of health guidelines.

He also requested the public to restrict celebrations during the upcoming festive season to their families due to the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The spokesman insisted that travel should be restricted as much as possible.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has suggested the government to commence transportation with specific attention to be paid on overcrowding and the practice of health guidelines with the coordination of the relevant health officials.

A mechanism to ensure there is demand reductions in the peak period should be introduced. This can set the guidelines on the number of people working in an establishment, the opening and closing time of office hours (including public services) and the introduction of flexible hours / work from home, the CCC said.

"It has proposed to encourage buses and trains to operate at marginal cost recovery. Given that less passengers per bus or train will result in less revenue for public transport operators at least initially, we propose a special mechanism to enable minimal reimbursement considering the prevailing low global oil prices." it added.