Transport Public Transport

AIM

Providing guidance on best practices to facilitate the gradual and safe resumption of public transport and to develop effective measures to protect the health of passengers, bus drivers and station workers to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while using public transport.

COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Appoint an individual responsible for ensuring that all guidelines for physical distancing, infection prevention and control, and hygiene measures are implemented and monitored.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Restricted stations to open.
Restricted capacity of up to 30% based on calculation of at least 9m2 per person.
1.5m physical distance between passengers and staff at all times, and in all areas (including transit and waiting areas). If necessary, block seats to ensure this precaution is complied with.
Seats near the driver are to be blocked off for the safety of operators and passengers.

REGULATING ENTRY AND EXIT

Etheraz App to be downloaded by all staff, drivers, and passengers. Entry to stations or buses will only be allowed for those with a green health status.
Masks must be worn by all staff, drivers and passengers to allow entry.

PREPARATION FOR RE-OPENING

All staff must be tested for COVID-19 before being allowed back to work on public transport.
All public transport must be cleaned and disinfected to Qatar Clean Program checklist and MOTC certified before being put into service.
Equipping buses with plastic isolation barriers for drivers to keep them safe from direct contact with passengers.
Equipping transportation (buses and trains) as well as stations with all instructions and ground stickers to guide passengers to keep 1.5m physical distances.
Ensure that drivers and station workers are given mandatory training with instructions on how to deal with suspected cases of COVID-19 and ways to report them, and the importance of compliance with precautions.
Providing buses, trains and stations with hand sanitizers at entrances.
Prepare a log of staff at stations and their working hours during the day.
Alter job descriptions of staff to include routine cleaning and disinfection procedures

INFECTION, PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Masks to be worn by staff and passengers at all times
Hand sanitizer available to all staff and passengers at entry and exits to stations/buses. Encourage passengers to use it on entry (ensure supplies at all times)
Public toilets to be cleaned and disinfected between customers. Supervision required.
Ensure that the stairs and elevators of the stations are cleaned and disinfected every day before closure with regular disinfectants, particularly hand rails and ticket machines, and other frequently touched surfaces
Encourage staff and passengers to follow respiratory etiquette including by using a tissue, or sleeve at the elbow, when coughing or sneezing. Remind them to dispose of tissue paper properly after use.
Remind staff and passengers to avoid touching the nose, mouth and eyes as much as possible.
Keep a housekeeping log of the cleaning and disinfection times of buses, trains and stations.
Maintain good ventilation inside the metro/bus and open the windows when possible. Refer to MoPH HVAC Guidance.
If a case is suspected amongst staff, the protocols adopted by the Ministry of Public Health must be applied.
Provide an isolation room at transit/station areas for any staff or passenger who feels unwell, and contact the health authorities.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Communications at entry, on vehicles, at ticket machines and barriers to provide awareness messages on how to stay safe.
Use MOPH health messages and materials.
Transport operators to emphasize that protecting public health is paramount
Encourage passengers to consider travel outside peak times.
Encourage passengers not to congregate on platforms or queues, using floor markers to maintain 1.5m if necessary
Ensure passengers are aware of the need to follow the instructions and stickers for the seats and oblige all passengers to sit in their seats throughout the journey and not to stand or move around unnecessarily during the journey.

TO REMAIN CLOSED

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

RETAIL SHOPS

MONEY HANDLING

Book tickets online in advance or use contactless payment. Avoid using cash if possible.
Provide sanitizer next to ticket machines.

VULNERABLE GROUPS

Adults over 60 and those who suffer from chronic conditions are advised not to use public transport
Staff with chronic conditions are advised not to work on public transport, and work at home where possible.

COVID-19 Services Assistant خدمة المساعدة الخاصة بكوفيد-19