State minister Masidi Manjun said express bus drivers and operators must comply with the rule that capacity would be limited to 50% based on seats to ensure physical distancing is always maintained.

“Express bus operators can only pick up and drop off passengers at the terminal. Express buses are also not allowed to stop at any stop, including restaurants,” he said in a statement here today.

Drivers and passengers should also undergo symptom screenings and temperature checks before boarding the bus. This is in addition to the use of face masks at all times, sanitisers, and also reducing interaction with other passengers on the bus.

“Drivers will be disallowed from working if they have symptoms (of Covid-19). In addition, the driver or bus operator also has the right to prevent passengers from boarding the bus if they (passengers) have symptoms. Drivers will also be asked to make periodic announcements on the wearing of face masks on the bus.

He said operators were also encouraged to disinfect the buses every two hours.

Masidi, who is the state government’s spokesperson for Covid-19, said 71 new positive cases were recorded today, bringing the cumulative total of Covid-19 cases to 53,864.

He said 77 patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered in Sabah to 52,711.

A total of 1,494 individuals received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine today, making a cumulative total of 22,464 recipients since the state-level immunisation programme was launched on March 4, he added.

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