What Requirements Must Bus Stations Meet When Resuming Operations During the COVID Pandemic?

Based on Subsection 6, Section II of the Provisional Guidelines on the organization of transportation activities in five sectors (road, inland waterways, maritime, rail, aviation) to ensure safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of COVID-19 (Issued together with Decision No. 1812/QD-BGTVT in 2021), the following requirements are stipulated:

Bus Stations, Rest Stops

a) Develop and implement plans and strategies to pick up and drop off passengers ensuring safety, security, fire and explosion prevention, environmental protection, and compliance with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations;

b) Arrange a health declaration point and QR code scanning area;

c) Arrange areas for competent authorities to conduct rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests; arrange rooms or temporary isolation areas ensuring ventilation;

d) Arrange ticket selling areas, waiting rooms (for bus stations), and areas for passengers to board and alight from vehicles ensuring social distancing and compliance with COVID-19 prevention and control requirements from the Ministry of Health;

e) In case symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, etc. are detected in drivers, onboard staff, passengers, or workers at bus stations and rest stops, isolation arrangements must be made and local health authorities must be informed immediately for handling;

f) Implement publicity about COVID-19 prevention and control measures in public areas;

g) Require drivers, onboard staff, and passengers to comply with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations as guided by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Health;

h) Publicly list the hotline numbers of local competent authorities for reporting violations of COVID-19 prevention and control regulations;

i) Organize random SARS-CoV-2 testing for individuals of their unit who are at high risk of COVID-19 infection.

Sincerely!