KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — The government has allowed public transport like rail services, trains, buses, and commercial flights to operate at 100 per cent capacity, Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today.
The senior defence minister, however, told standing passengers in LRT, MRT and the like to maintain social distance to avoid overcrowding.
“The SOP (standard operating procedures) must be followed. Passengers and drivers must wear face masks, download the MySejahtera app, and use hand sanitiser,” Ismail Sabri told a press conference.
The minister’s remarks came after he reprimanded Rapid Rail yesterday for unilaterally lifting social distancing rules on Rapid KL services during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). Rapid Rail — which operates the LRT networks, the KL Monorail, and MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line — had made its decision in line with the Transport Ministry’s approval for 100 per cent capacity in all rail services, except for the ETS and KTM Intercity services.
Ismail Sabri said today that public buses, ferries, trains, and airlines would also be allowed to operate at full capacity, on the condition of body temperature screening and wearing of face masks for passengers.
Bus drivers must wear face masks and sell those to passengers who do not have one. Buses must also be sanitised after operations. Bus passengers’ details must be recorded manually on the MySejahtera contact-tracing app.
Airlines were previously limited to 66 per cent capacity per flight. Passengers are now required to wear face masks throughout the flight.
E-hailing services, taxis, and express buses will also be allowed to operate without time limits, whereas previously, e-hailing services and taxis could only operate until 10pm. E-hailing services and cabs will also be no longer subjected to a two-passenger limit, but can carry passengers according to seat capacity.
E-hailing and taxi operators are also required to use the MySejahtera app to record passengers and sanitise their vehicles after passengers alight. Face masks are also compulsory for both driver and passenger.
As for private transport, the government has lifted requirements that only allowed people from the same household sharing a vehicle.