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Zupco fumigates termini, buses

03 Apr, 2020 - 00:04 0 Views
Zupco fumigates termini, buses

The ManicaPost

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter
PUBLIC transporter Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) yesterday launched a fumigation exercise which will see all its bus termini being disinfected after every three days to curb the spread of COVID-19.

All its buses are also being fumigated to protect commuters.

The programme was launched in Harare this week and has since spread to all provinces in a move designed to mitigate the spread of the disease through the busy bus termini and buses.

Zupco is the only public transport service provider operating during the national 21-day lockdown which started on Monday.

The company’s regional operational manager, Mr Tito Chirau, said the initiative had been made possible through President Mnangagwa’s interventions which saw well-wishers making donations of the requisite chemicals. He told The Manica Post that available chemicals will last for 90 days.

“We are fumigating bus termini and every Zupco bus is being disinfected before it leaves the depot. It is fumigated two more times during the day. We are doing this to ensure that there is no risk of spreading the virus

through our buses,” he said.

He said the public transporter is working closely with Mutare City Council to avoid duplication of the service.

Mutare City Council health services director, Dr Anthony Mutara said council is waiting for the arrival of its consignment of chemicals from Harare.

“Once the chemicals are here, we will focus on the areas where human traffic is high to minimise the spread of the disease,” he said.

Dr Mutara said the fight against COVID-19 needs all the stakeholders to combine efforts.

He encouraged residents to avoid unnecessary movements as this increases their risk of exposure to the virus.

Zupco’s acting chief executive officer, Mr Evaristo Madangwa said while their buses have the capacity to carry 64 passengers per trip, they are carrying 32 passengers to ensure social distancing is practised on the buses.

“The reports we are getting from all over the country show that there is compliance in that area,” he said.

Public transport operator, Mr Esau Mupfumi, whose buses are operating under the Zupco franchise, welcomed the fumigation initiative.

“We need to ensure that we carry out our mandate safely.

‘‘I understand Zupco is only carrying passengers with proof  that they are supposed to be at work during this lockdown,” he  said.

To complement the fumigation exercise, all Zupco buses will be provided with hand sanitisers for passengers and staff.

 

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