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On June 29th 2020, the federal government announced the lifting of the interstate travel ban in Nigeria. For weeks we watched the NCAA roll out their airline protocols while FAAN listed COVID precautionary measures at airports. We have mentioned all these previously in this column, even after domestic flights resumed.
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What we didn’t share was the safety measures for road transport companies and travellers. We know that the interstate travel ban for commercial vehicles since April 23rd 2020 affected our GDP in the tune of about N200 billion. Though essential services being allowed to move between states, the police were at certain checkpoints to enforce precautionary COVID protocols. As the economy opens up, there is a projected increase in fares because of the adoption of the COVID precautionary protocols put in place to ensure everyone travels safely during this pandemic. Since July 1st 2020, many road transport companies have been back in business, howbeit slow. While it is still best not to travel, there are guidelines to ensure the safety of road travellers. Below are some of those guidelines:
  • Interstate travel will occur outside curfew hours (10 pm – 4 am)
  • Transport companies and motor parks must enforce the wearing of face masks and temperature checks for passengers.
  • Transport companies must have a plan for crowd control and physical distancing of passengers.
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  • Buses are to carry 60% of their capacity
  • Windows must be kept open during trips as the spread is worse within enclosed spaces.
  • Certain local government areas (LGA) with the highest rates of coronavirus cases in the country will continue to have restriction of movement. Such as Eti Osa and Ikeja of Lagos State, Abuja Municipal, Tarauni (Kano), Oredo (Edo State), Ata Odo/Ota (Ogun State), including 11 others. This might affect most transport routes and drop-off points.
  • State governments are to have inspection teams to make sure the laid down procedures are being adhered to.
  • Transport companies are supposed to provide hand washing facilities and hand sanitisers within their premises.
It is important to note that while all these guidelines have been issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport in Nigeria; it is up to the transport companies to enforce them. While some states take these guidelines very seriously, others do not. Some people have travelled within curfew hours but got stuck at a police checkpoint where they had to stay till the approved hour to continue their journey. Others have been to travel parks where the rules are not mandatory besides the physical distancing. These are risks so many road users will take to get back to their routines. Have you travelled to any state via road transport during the pandemic? Tell us what your experience was like in the comments.   References: BBC Pidgin Vanguard NG BusinessDay.NG   Featured image source: TVC News
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This article was first published on 17th July 2020

ann

Ann Esievoadje is a freelance writer who is passionate about encouraging a reading culture and personal development. She has authored two books, The Quilt (fiction) and Being Mummy and Me (non-fiction). She manages Pulchra Publishing which offers a content creation/editing, transcription, different forms of writing (including Ghostwriting) service and her blog, Life Love and Anything Goes at annesievoadje.blogspot.com.ng. You can reach her at annesievoadje@gmail.com

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