The Chinese Lunar New Year holiday is coming up and to respond to the expanded COVID-19 infection, the Taichung City Transportation Bureau actively incorporated the pandemic prevention and control measures imposed by the Central Government. In addition to diverse promotion measures for pandemic prevention and control, various bus operators were requested to abide by the relevant rules and enhance disinfection. Director General of the Transportation, Yeh Chao-Fu, recently visited the Taichung Transshipment Center to conduct inspection and promote pandemic prevention and control measures for buses. Both operators and riders were called to continuously implement relevant measures to protect themselves and others.
According to Director General Yeh, the Taichung City Government promoted pandemic prevention and control measures such as "wear a face mask on board," "no food and drinks inside a bus," and "avoid conversations when riding a bus" and materials of pandemic prevention and control were posted inside the bus. Diverse channels including Facebook page of the Bureau, Smart Bus Board and real-time bus dynamic information web, the "Taichung Bus" app and the LED stop announcement system were utilized to continuously promote pandemic prevention and control measures.
Director General Yeh pointed out that if a rider fails to wear a face mask when riding on public transportation, advice will be given first. If the passenger still refuses to wear a face mask, he/she will be fined at the amount between NT$3,000 and NT$15,000 according to the "Communicable Disease Control Act." The public is requested to abide by the relevant measures. Additionally, the Taichung City Government required drivers to wear face masks and take their body temperature before each journey. Bus stops need to provide disinfection solutions and each vehicle had to be disinfected every eight hours. Bus operators were required to enhance disinfection for places contacted frequently by passengers such as seats, hand rails, bells and ticket verification machines. Pandemic prevention and control records should be provided for public review.
The Bureau again reminded the public of the four steps, "open, wear, pinch and fit" to wear face masks correctly on public transportation such as buses, Taiwan Railways, Taiwan High Speed Rail. Social distancing shall also be kept and conversations must be avoided on board. Additionally, the public shall go to the hospital when having a fever, coughs, or respiratory problems syndrome but they shall not take public transportation. Personal protection measures shall also be taken to avoid spreading the infection.