Punjab government allows all private (non–transport) and public service vehicles to operate

Punjab Government has allowed all the private (non–transport) and public service vehicles to operate from 5 AM to 9 PM, except in the containment zones declared by competent authority. Earlier, all the Public Service Vehicles including e-Rickshaws and Auto Rickshaws, Maxi Cab/ Motor Cab and Private Vehicles (non-transport) were prohibited from plying between 9 pm to 5 am up to June 30, 2020. Punjab Transport Minister, Razia Sulatan, said that now the government has decided to provide some relief to the citizen so that they can commute to do their daily chores. She said that the permission to ply Public Service Vehicles has been granted with the condition that, not more than 50 percent of the seating capacity of the bus shall be filled at any time during the journey of the bus in order to ensure adequate social distancing. Likewise, all the Public Service Vehicles holding a Stage Carriage Permit shall be allowed to operate on their designated route, provided that the person operating the Public Service Vehicle shall ensure that Passengers only board such a Vehicle at the originating point of the journey. All the passengers will have to wear masks from the time of boarding till alighting from the Vehicle and likewise, the body temperature of each passenger should be checked before they are allowed to board a vehicle. Wearing of mask shall, however, be mandatory during travel for Government employees also. She added that E-Rickshaws, Auto Rickshaws, Maxi-Cabs, Motor-cabs are allowed with 1 Driver and 2 Passengers only. E-Rickshaws, Auto Rickshaws, Maxi-Cabs, Motor-cabs should be sanitized after every trip. She said that the Car-polling/Car-sharing by the aggregators is not permitted. Also Read | Punjab government issues guidelines for opening of shopping malls, restaurants and religious places In case of two-wheeler 1 Driver along with a maximum of ONE Pillion Rider, who is a minor child or spouse of the driver, is allowed. In case of four-wheeler 1 Driver along with a maximum of TWO Passengers are allowed. Higher occupancy up to the maximum capacity of a vehicle is permitted only in case all the occupants belong to a single family (parents, spouse and children only). -PTC News