This as President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday night discouraged all non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air, rail, taxis, and bus. The Stakeholder Relations Manager, Vuyo Ondala, tells OFM News that following the ministerial media briefing on Monday 16 March 2020, Interstate’s management will implement measures which include intensifying bus cleaning. Ondala says they will also provide sanitisers to the front line personnel such as drivers and cashiers. So far 62 people have been confirmed positive with the virus which led to the South African government imposing a travel ban. 

The bus lines also say they are working closely with the ProvincialDepartment of Police, Roads, and Transport, Health, and other authorities to curb the spread of Covid-19 by “mobilising resources and as soon as they are delivered we will set hand sanitiser dispensers at our main loading terminal mainly at Central Park, Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo”. 

The Bus Lines further plans to encourage passengers to keep bus windows open to allow proper ventilation, he adds. He says Interstate will adopt three plans of action, which include education, implementing cautionary measures and implementing a business continuity plan and will also look into reducing shifts.  

 While addressing the media following the outbreak, President Ramaphosa said it is essential that there is minimised risk of the spread of this virus by limiting contact amongst groups of people. He also said the gathering of more than 100 people, amongst others, was prohibited due to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, while public transport will not be shut down at this stage, all measures will be taken to ensure that there are social distancing and minimum contact between passengers. Transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, says they are still in talks about the operation of all public transport and that random testing for the virus will be applied at various taxi ranks and bus stations.

OFM News