GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRADUAL RELAXATION: COVID-19 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AS REGULATED

The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has extended the partial lockdown for a further 21 days commencing today. This extension comes with gradual relaxation of the partial lockdown measures to allow certain low risk operations to continue.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport would like to announce the following revised guidelines for operating of all transport modes during this period to cenable the fight against COVID-19.  The guidelines are issued in terms of Section 15 and 16 of The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (under Section 43 of The Disaster Management Act of 2006).

Road Transport

Passenger transport

1. The operation of public transport is considered essential. Bus, Taxi, Minibus and Midibus shall operate at 70% capacity on condition that ALL occupants in the vehicle wear face masks. Buses shall not have a standing capacity and must also be at 70% capacity and observe the wearing of masks.
2. All passengers boarding public transport must have their hands washed with water and soap or sanitised prior to boarding.
3. Public transport must be regularly disinfected and kept clean at all times.
4. It is the duty of the commuter or passenger of public transport to provide himself/herself with the face mask. The driver of public transport MUST NOT allow a commuter to board the vehicle without a face mask.
5. Operation hours of all public transport shall no longer be restricted but shall operate normal hours.

Cross Border Passenger Transport

1. All cross-border road passenger movements to any of our neighbouring countries remains prohibited for the duration of the partial lockdown.

Freight transport (Local and Cross border)

1. Freight transport shall be allowed to operate to support trade but to adhere to the WHO guidelines, SADC Protocol and Member States agreement on operating within the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Cross-border freight movement for essential goods will continue to and from our neighboring countries. 
3. Safety of vehicles and operation shall not be compromised on the basis of the partial lockdown.
4. All goods vehicles must be disinfected before and after every trip.
5. All places of loading or work for goods vehicles must be disinfected at regular intervals.
6. Cross border Freight transport operators must ensure all documentation pertaining the adherence to the agreed principles and protocol especially certificate of Fitness before travel are valid and shall ensure  that they submit applications for Certificate of Fitness at least 7 days prior to expiry.

Private Vehicles

1. Private vehicles shall not exceed 70% carrying capacity and all shall be compelled to wear a mask during the course of travel.
2. Private vehicles shall not operate a taxi service or load passengers for gain.

Transport services

1. The following transport services can operate with strict observance to the WHO guidelines on sanitation and social distancing:

1. Driver Training: Driving Schools are allowed to operate as classified under Low Risk by the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Training.

1. Breakdown services are operating normal hours and their drivers are to have masks all the time when they attend to an accident scene or in a recovery basis.

CHIEF NDLALUHLAZA NDWANDWE

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORT

Thursday 16 April 2020