To further relax the lockdown in the province, the Punjab government has decided to resume the public transport. In this connection, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Raja Basharat with Punjab transporters on Friday.

Punjab Industry Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, Secretary Transport Asad Rehman Gilani, Secretary Provincial Transport Authority Muhammad Iqbal, DIG Traffic Punjab, other officers and transporter representatives from across Punjab were present in the meeting.

While talking to media, the Ministers said that the government cares about transporters and other business class as well as protection of masses from the coronavirus; therefore the Punjab Chief Minister has decided to allow public transport in the province conditionally.

"Petrol and diesel prices had come down drastically in the last few months and its benefit should reach the people in the form of a reduction in fares.

Hence, a committee headed by the Secretary Transport was set up to review the fares with the consultation of transporters. The committee will present its final recommendations to the Chief Minister who will make the final decision," they added.

Basharat said that according to the SOPs set by the health department for public transport, only one passenger on two seats will be permitted, three feet distance between passengers will be kept while boarding a bus, air-condition will not be used in vehicles and windows will be kept open.

"Transporters will ensure disinfection of the buses after each trip and availability of sensitizer at each terminal while passengers will get in a bus from the front door and leave from the backdoor. Passengers with fever or cough will not be allowed to board the bus," he added.

Iqbal said the SOPs agreed with the government will be strictly implemented. "The transporters assured that they will implement the SOPs set by the government and also arrange for the supply of masks and gloves to the passengers at the controlled rates," he added. He urged the people to follow government guidelines for the protection of themselves and others from a dangerous pandemic.