DIMAPUR, AUGUST 6: The Government of Nagaland on Friday issued revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of vehicles in the State, including passenger vehicles. The revised SOP will come into force from August 9.
Commercial passenger vehicles
As per the revised SOP, in buses and in light vehicles, the maximum occupancy permitted shall be 50%. In case of taxis and auto rickshaws, the maximum allowed passengers shall be 2, without any passenger in the front seat. If there is more than one row, then in each row not more than 2 passengers will be permitted.
The drivers and attendants of every passenger vehicle including taxis, auto-rickshaws and buses, plying within the district, should be asymptomatic and should have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (taken both the doses), or should have taken the first dose against COVID-19 and 15 days must have passed since taking the first dose. If none of the two criteria regarding vaccination is fulfilled, then the driver/attendant should carry a COVID-19 negative test report taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 15 days.
In case of inter-district bus service/ taxi service, in addition to the drivers/attendants fulfilling the above conditions, the passengers should have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (taken both the doses), or should have taken the first dose against COVID-19, and 15 days must have passed since taking the first dose. If none of the two criteria regarding vaccination is fulfilled, then the passenger should carry a COVID-19 negative lest report taken through either RT-PCR/TrueNat or CBNAAT with the swab taken for testing not earlier than 72 hours from the date of travel.
All travelling passengers should be asymptomatic. Further all passenger vehicles should also mandatorily maintain a daily log book of all travelers at the ticket/booking counter, with the following details: Name, age & sex, contact number, date of travel and destination.
The SOP also advised all vehicles to the extent possible to move with their windows rolled down. Further, light commercial passenger vehicles including taxis and auto rickshaws were advised to put a plastic barrier in the vehicle to isolate the driver from the passengers as an added safety measure.
Private passenger vehicle
In case of private passenger vehicle, the SOP said there should not be more than two persons sitting on the middle and rear row seats. In case of rear seats being along the length of the vehicle, not more than one person should sit on each of the rear seat. In the front row seat, including the driver there should not be more than two persons sitting. Further, to the extent possible the vehicle should move with the windows rolled down.
Face Mask
The SOP notified that in both private and commercial passenger vehicles, everyone including the drivers, attendants should mandatorily wear mask at all times. If anyone is found not wearing mask, he/she shall be fined Rs 200.
The revised SOP also notified that pillion riding and 2-wheeler taxi service shall continue to remain suspended. It also prohibited carrying of passenger(s) in any transport vehicle carrying goods/commodities, including water carrier, dumper, etc.
(Page News Service)
