Staff at Mandaveli MTC bus terminus say that most commuters travelling via buses are not following pandemic time regulations. As a result, the staff say they are having to live with the fear of virus infection.
Says an official, who manages operations at the terminus, “In spite of our repeated instruction most commuters are not following social distancing or wearing masks. Hence, we are living with the fear of getting infected by the virus.”
“After we resumed operations, some 5 of our staff have got affected by the virus. They have all recovered and rejoined duty. But as the public is not following any kind of regulations, we fear more staff and their families would be affected,” he says.
In addition, as the festival shopping has started now, he says a large number of people have begun using buses in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm. And none are following social distancing. This has further fuelled our fear, he says.
Says a conductor, “What is worse is that commuters are not even covering their nose/mouth with hands while coughing or sneezing.”
