KOLKATA: The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate (JCBS) and City Suburban Bus Service (CSBS) have asked the state government to reintroduce masks in public transport and asked its staff to wear masks to stay safe from another Covid wave. While the JCBS has begun a campaign in this regard, CSBS said they were hoping for a government order to enforce mask norms.
Tapan Banerjee, general secretary of JCBS, said they would hold a special campaign on masks at the Esplanade bus stand on Saturday morning.
“We have had a bitter experience during the past three waves. As bus workers, our drivers and conductors are exposed to a large number of people within a confined space. Hence, we are asking all workers to wear masks while on duty. This will be part of our responsibility. We will also ask the government to bring back the mandatory use of masks,” said Banerjee.
CSBS general secretary Tito Saha said they were waiting for government guidelines as that will provide the necessary legal status which will help enforce masks in buses.
Swapan Ghosh, joint secretary of the Minibus Operators Coordination Committee, said that they are not thinking of any campaign but will extend help if directed. “We are barely making a living. If things shut down again, the business might as well be over,” he stated.
Senior doctors of Beliaghata ID Hospital have urged everyone to follow Covid appropriate measures.
Lalbazar said traffic guards would organize sessions with the transporters and with help from all the public health experts and doctors.
Asis Manna, medical director of Infectious Diseases & Beliaghata General Hospital (ID&BG), said drivers of public transport vehicles could prove to be super spreaders if they do not adhere to Covid norms.
