Drivers get masks, sanitisers

THE Road Traffic Authority (RTA) and UN Women issued 1,000 reusable masks and 500 bottles of 750ml hand sanitisers to PMV operators in Port Moresby on Friday.
Covid-19 preventive measure posters in English, Tok Pisin and Motu were also issued by UN Women.
RTA chief executive Nelson Terema thanked UN Women for the donation and urged operators to be very serious about Covid-19 preventive measures, including exercising social distancing.
“We regulate public transport in PNG, therefore, we are trying our very best to support and to promote health hygiene and best preventive measures with the minimum resources that we have,” Terema said.
“There are 800 fully-licensed PMV operators in Port Moresby and about 1,000 licensed taxi operators who come under the RTA radar.

Driver of a route 13 bus Denish Kerewa (left) sanitising bus crew Michael Noki’s hands before taking off after the distribution at the Unagi Oval in Port Moresby on Friday. – Nationalpics by PETER ESILA

“Today we are going to issue hand sanitisers and face masks.
“It is our duty to make sure that we have to implement social distancing in the public transport in line with order number 9 and 16 which was issued by the controller.
“Public transport is used by 70 to 80 per cent of the population in Port Moresby.”
Terema said enforcing social distancing was a challenge.
“Maintain the 15 passengers until such a time when the controller gives us when to uplift this, but in the meantime, it is still enforced.
All PMVs are encouraged to carry 15 passengers and apply K1.50 per passenger at all times.”
UN Women Safe Public Transport programme specialist Bessie Maruia said Covid-19 brought some important lessons about health and hygiene.