Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is conducting an inspection at Rea Vaya bus stations in Soweto on Thursday morning, to assess whether lockdown regulations are being implemented.

 

The minister together with Gauteng Transport MEC, Jacob Mamabolo and Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo will also take a ride on the bus with commuters from Thokoza Park to Orlando.

 

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all Rea Vaya commuters have to wear a mask and carry an essential workers’  permit to be allowed onto a bus.

 

They also have to walk through a mobile sanitisation station where their temperatures are checked, before they gain entry into the station.
Mbalula is urging all commuters to observe social distancing.

However, it seems to be a challenge as there isn’t much space in the tiny Rea Vaya stations.

Commuters have also lashed out at the lack of social distancing measures that have been put in place to avoid them from contracting COVID-19.

Government urges public transport organisations to prioritise safety of commuters

Government has called on public transport oganisations to ensure that all commuters adhere to lockdown regulations by wearing face masks and practice social distancing.

 

Previously, Mbalula has called on taking bosses to provide face masks and sanitise all passengers before they get inside the taxis.

Several taxi ranks have since been sanitised as instructed by the government.

This is one of government’s effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, there are 12074 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and 219 deaths with 4745 people who have recovered from the virus.