Amid the lockdown, all public transport services in the state have been suspended. In Mumbai, the local trains, which are often referred to as 'the lifeline of the city' have also been shut down. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus service is one of the only means of transport available for people that are engaged in essential services. From the very start of the lockdown, the BEST buses have been running on Mumbai streets to ply people engaged in essential services.
However, working amid the COVID-19 pandemic puts the BEST employees at risk of contracting the virus. As of Tuesday, April 28, 15 BEST employees have tested positive for coronavirus. Among the positive BEST employees, the first one to have contracted the virus passed away. Out of the 15 patients, seven are conductors, four are BEST bus drivers, two are BEST's electricity wing employees, and two are transportation engineering employees.
Since BEST conductors are affected the most due to the pandemic, the transport wing has announced that it will run BEST buses without conductors. The decision has been taken by BEST Corporation, keeping in mind the risk of exposure to its staff members.
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, 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.
As a majority of BEST employees contracted the virus while they were not on duty, the BEST administration had examined nearly 7,242 staffers dispensaries. Alongside, 220 employees who were on leave in March and April had submitted self-declaration forms after resuming duty.
Train Services Will Not Start Anytime Soon: Uddhav Thackeray
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