On April 26, Sunday, after seven Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) employees tested positive, the transport wing decided to continue its bus services without conductors. The decision has been taken by BEST Corporation, keeping in mind the risk of exposure to its staff members.
On Monday, a BEST driver tested positive for coronavirus, taking the tally of infected BEST employees to eight. As per the BEST chief medical officer, Dr Anil Kumar Singhal, six out of the eight employees tested COVID-19 positive have contracted the infection either from their relatives or when they were out of Mumbai on leave. Only two of the employees had contracted the virus while they were on duty.
Nearly 7,242 staffers have been examined at out dispensaries while 220 employees who were on leave in March and April have submitted self-declaration forms after resuming duty, Dr Anil Kumar Singhal said.
Taking no further risks, the corporation has decided to run conductor-less buses in Mumbai. The regulation will also be applicable to BEST buses that are providing food along with medical response vehicles run by the transport wing. This will also ensure that social distancing norms are followed effectively in BEST buses.
Meanwhile, after the bus driver tested positive, the BEST authorities have been on an alert. BEST is also carrying out medical checkups of its staff. As per an official, of the 236 employees placed under home quarantine, 100 have completed it and may resume duty soon.
Earlier, a circular was placed outside the gates of 59 families asking them to stay at home. This happened after the mother of a former BEST staffer succumbed to COVID-19 on Saturday. As this happened, a building in Parel staff quarters was sealed.
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