Bus Companies Tighten Up on Mask Rules
The majority of bus lines across the country are becoming more proactive in their fight against Covid-19. Effective Monday, passengers will be prohibited from eating and drinking on buses. President of the Belize Bus Association, Thomas Shaw, says this will help to avoid passengers taking of their masks during the ride and potentially exposing themselves or others to COVID-19. But how effective will these measures be enforced?
On the Phone: Thomas Shaw, President, Belize Bus Association
“This initiative came up because I sat and when I looked at the news and see the overwhelming cases that have actually taken place across the globe, it is unbelievable. So what I did, I got in touch with my operators and said I have a proposal and this is what I would like to do. But first of all I would like to get the blessing from them to see who is onboard. The response was overwhelming. So what we are planning is effective Monday to avoid any eating or drinking on public transportation apart from drinking water. A provision will be given for that. You can live without a soda pop but you can’t live without water, water is life.”
Paul Lopez
“One may want to criticize the Bus Association for wanting to implement these new provisions when it appears that in fact you guys have been having a challenge in enforcing mask wearing in the buses as well as overcrowding in buses.”
On the Phone: Thomas Shaw
“As the President of the association, you know whenever you try to put protocols in place you will never get a hundred percent. But you have got to start somewhere. What have been taking place, I agree that some of our operators, I agree, and if you listening, I would appeal to them to cease and desist from excessive passengers. We do know that it is still taking place. Passengers are not wearing their masks properly. But, I would urge the owners, because sometimes our employees, you can tell them one thing and they go out and do otherwise. And, I would suggest that, any passenger onboard a public transportation and see these things happening, just make a call and we will deal with the operator.”
