Following persistent overloading and refusal of pupils boarding the school buses in Bo to wear face masks, the Social Mobilization Manager of Bo DiCOVERC , Hon. Eric Jumu has called on Stakeholders to chat the way forward on these flagrant violations.
Hon. Eric Jumu said the issues of overloading in the school buses and refusal of Pupils boarding the buses to wear face masks in Bo District are in the full glare of the public, adding that the said acts amount to violations of the COVID-19 Enhanced Regulations 2020.
Deputy Mayor, Bo City Council, David JN Smart averred that they had prior to now engaged drivers and bus conductors and the pupils about COVID 19 Enhanced Regulations, and pledged Bo City Council’s unflinching commitments to the fight against COVID-19.
Development Planning Officer, Bo City Council, who also doubles at Bus Coordinator, Haja Halimatu Lukulay said managing the attitude of the Pupils boarding the five school buses remains a herculean task for them including the drivers and conductors.
In order to overcome these challenges they employed Bus supervisors but the situation remains the same.
She said as part of ways to ensure maintenance of the school buses, and payment of drivers and conductors, they agreed to increase the holding capacity of the Buses from 46 to 50.
Deputy Director of Education, Bo District, Joseph M.B. Sesay also condemned the overloading in the Government School Buses and also disclosed that most pupils including their teachers don’t wear face masks. This he described as unfortunate and warned all to abide by all COVID-19 Enhanced Regulations, noting that plans are underway to engage Heads of Schools on this appalling trend in Bo District.
Local Unit Commander, Bo East Police Station, Paul Banister cautioned against overloading in the School Buses and warned against complacency in the fight against COVID-19.
Epidemiological data reveals that chances for coronavirus infection are high in close confinements unlike open areas.
It was agreed at the end of the meeting that the Government School Buses must now carry maximum of 50 pupils and on the proviso that all pupils boarding the said buses must be properly masked up before and after.
It was also unanimously agreed that the use of face masks in all Schools including tertiary Institutions is Mandatory.
A fine of Le1,000,000 as provided for in the COVID-19 Enhanced Regulations 2020 is levied on owners of Buses for violations of COVID-19 regulations and Le 100,000 each on persons using a public space without proper use of face mask.
All fines are payable into the Operational COVID-19 Response Account within 72 hours at the Rokel Commercial Bank Branch in Bo.
By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu
17/02/2021. ISSUE NO: 8004