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A file photo of taxis in Kohima waiting to ferry passengers. (EM Images)
Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 12 (EMN): The state government on Saturday issued an advisory for taxis and autorickshaws following its order issued on June 9, allowing commercial vehicles to ply on odd-even number basis.
An advisory issued by the Home department, through the principal secretary, Abhijit Sinha, has notified all the deputy commissioners (DCs) and chairmen of district task forces on Covid-19 to streamline the system for the safety of both the driver and the passengers.
It stated that the taxis and autorickshaws are permitted to operate with a maximum of two-passengers only without any passenger in the front seat and in the event that any passenger is found not wearing mask, the offender and the driver of the taxi or autorickshaw would be fined an amount of INR 200 each.
The drivers of taxi or autorickshaw have been directed to disinfect the frequently touched areas such as door knobs, door handles etc. after every trip, and also compulsorily keep hand sanitiser in the vehicle.
The new advisory also maintained that the negative test result to be produced by the drivers may be from RAT/ RT PCR/ TrueNat / CBNAAT while testing for the same would be free of cost. It came in the wake of the earlier order insisting the production of negative Covid-19 test report for taxis to ply.
“All the drivers coming into contact with the public may be vaccinated at the earliest as per criteria of the government of India, and pending complete vaccination, they should carry Covid-19 negative test result valid up to 15 days. A driver who has a full vaccination certificate, the Covid-19 negative test result may not be required,” read the advisory.
“If the driver completely isolates himself by putting a plastic barrier/ sheet in the vehicle between the driver and the passenger, the driver of such a vehicle may be exempted from the requirement of carrying Covid-19 test report,” it added.
Mingling and overcrowding with other drivers and crowding at the taxi or autorickshaw stands should be avoided, it stated.
It went on to advise any driver showing Covid-19 like symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, loss of smell and taste, diarrhoea etc., to immediately isolate and get tested.
Towards this, the DCs and chairmen (DTF) on Covid-19 have been advised to immediately take steps for ensuring adherence to the additional guidelines.