23 Mar 2020

 Public transport is one of the places where the risk of spreading and contracting respiratory diseases is high, according to experts in public health.

One of the biggest challenges in combating the spread of the Coronavirus in some countries is said to be the daily mass movement of commuters on public transport.

Locally, transport authorities and taxi associations are working to mitigate the threat. 

In an interview, the chairperson of Serowe Taxi Association Mr Lekgowa Balopi expressed the frustration of many commuters say it was ‘just too difficult’ trying to be vigilant.

‘’There are thousands of people in the taxis. How do we then guard ourselves against such? I say the only solution is for us to seek divine intervention. This is the only way out of this pandemic,” he said.

Mr Balopi said a lot more was needed to be done to avert an ‘explosion’, saying health institutions should distribute masks, sanitizers and gloves to assist taxi drivers whom he said earn less.

He said the departments of health and that of transport should take a lead in assisting taxi associations and to find ways to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Mr Balopi said it was imperative to develop an awareness campaign for their member associations, and ‘sensitizing’ their structures ‘not to panic’.

He said taxi and bus industries had to mount an aggressive information drive working closely with the Department of Health on preventative measures in the public transport environment.

One Taxi operator in Serowe, Mr Gobaone Radinonyane said in an interview that only a few operators had gloves and sanitizers, saying education about the Coronavirus was not enough as taxi drivers were always busy.

He also said the closure of education institutions was a challenge to them as the move had reduced their customer base. 

He requested health officials to assist them with prevention materials at taxi and bus ranks, saying they were still relying on opening taxi windows and washing hands only.  

However, the Mokoka bus transport supervisor, Ms Buna Mothogaesi said they had availed hand sanitizers in all of their buses for passengers and staff.

She said at different stop overs from Serowe to Gaborone announcements were regularly made to remind passengers to wash their hands, using the soap provided in toilets. 

Ms Mothogaesi further said communications from the WHO and health ministry were being shared with passengers.

Taxi commuter, Mr Themba Morakaladi, who was waiting to take a taxi to Mokwenanyana ward in Serowe, said ‘we cannot avoid travel. At the end of the month, I have to go home to Mahalapye.’

COVID-19,symptoms fever, cough and breathing difficulties.

The ministry of health has emphasised hand and respiratory hygiene as well as safe food practices including cleaning hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, coughing and sneezing into a flexed elbow or tissue, which should be immediately thrown away followed by washing of hands. 

Members of the public are further advised to avoid close contact with anyone who displays the symptoms, seek medical care early and to share previous travel history with health care providers. Ends