Transport Directorate Issues SOP’s for Plying Autorickshaws

Port Blair, May 20: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), GOI has directed the national Executive Committee (NEC) to take lockdown measures so as to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Following the NDMA’s directions, the Chief secretary, A&N Administration has directed that the guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries / Departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments and State/ UT Authorities for containment of COVID -19 in the country upto 31/5/2020 issued by MHA dated 17/5/2020 shall be applicable to the whole of A&N Islands. In said order, the entire South Andaman has been classified as Green Zone based on the parameters shared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, except the containment zone (s) as is / may be notified by the District Magistrate, South Andaman from time to time.

The District Magistrate, South Andaman has issued guidelines vide Order No. 500 and 501 dated 18.05.2020 for permitting activities with restrictions except in the containment zones.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Directorate of Transport has issued the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) do hereby issue for the operation of Autorickshaws in the District of South Andaman except in the containment zones.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for operation of Autorickshaw

  1. All Autorickshaws to be sanitized mandatorily after completion of every trip by the Autorickshaws driver using appropriate disenfectants.
  2. Thermal Screening of all Autorickshaw drivers to be mandatorily done in the morning before commencement of passenger trips and the driver should keep the scanning certificate in his possession throughout the day.
  3. Thermal screening will be carried out by designated Government officials between 6.30 AM to 7.30 AM everyday except Sunday and a certificate to this effect shall be issued by the officials by maintaining proper record. Screening will be carried out at the following points:
  4. Mohanpura Bus Stand
  5. Bathubasti parking
  6. Junglighat School
  7. Autorickshaws shall not operate between 7 PM and 7 AM.
  8. Passengers as well as Autorickshaw drivers while travelling shall always wear face mask / cover.
  9. Only two passengers shall be permitted to travel in Autorickshaws.
  10. No persons above 65 years of age and below the age of 10 years will be permitted to travel in Autorickshaws except for health and essential purposes.
  11. Autorickshaws should ply strictly as per the conditions of permit issued by the Transport Department under Motor Vehicle Act and rules framed thereunder.
  12. Any disobediance of the above guidelines shall invite penal action under IPC and relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against the violator(s).