DILI, 10 september 2021 (TATOLI) – Public transport services resumed on thursday following the lifting of the two-week Covid-19 lockdown in capital Dili.
Public transports are allowed to carry out operations in Dili as well as to municipalities, but passengers and drivers are required to present the COVID-19 vaccine card for traveling out of capital Dili.
“The public transports (microlites, taxis, and buses) services are resumed to facilitate the movement of the people from Dili to municipalities and vice versa. However, passengers and drivers must present to the authorities their Covid-19 vaccine card to prove that they are fully vaccinated,” the General-Director of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), Gaspar de Araújo announced during a press conference at the office of MTC, in Dili, on thursday.
Araujo called on drivers of the public transports to renew their driving license and vehicle documents at the National Directorate of Land Transport (DNTT).
He called on drivers and passengers to follow and practice the Covid-19 prevention measures, such as wearing face masks, coughing and sneezing etiquette, frequent hand hygiene, physical and social distancing, respiratory etiquette, and wearing face masks.
“The drivers must avoid overcrowded in buses, microletes, and taxis to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19,” Araújo said.
In addition, the Chief Department of the traffic police, Inspector Inocencio Freitas said that Timorese National Police (PNTL) would collaborate with the Integrated Crisis Management Center (ICGC) to decide the fixed number of passengers to be carried by every public transport.
He said PNTL would check the vehicle documents at the entry points in Dili.
“Authorities had made it clear that only fully vaccinated citizens are allowed to leave and enter the capital Dili. Thus, PNTL will carry out checkpoints at every entry point to ensure citizens obey the regulations,” said Freitas.
Journalist: Natalino Costa
Julia Chatarina
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
