SLTB buses to adopt bio-bubble system from Monday: State Minister

A special programme will be implemented by every SLTB depots from Monday (16) to operate bus services for office employees under bio-bubble system, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

He said the staffers will be divided into two groups and will be engaged for 15 days each during the month under the bio-bubble system.

  "Once the plan is put in place, there will be a minor scarcity of buses. Overtime payment will be made to employees and buses will operate 100% accurately as per time table," he said.

 Meanwhile, he said around 285 employees of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) were tested positive for Covid.

While opening a COVID treatment centre at the Kalutara hospital yesterday, he said the COVID positive SLTB employees were sent for treatment there.

The Ministry had taken a decision to continue with the transport service, despite the raging COVID situation in the country. A decision was also taken to treat the bus drivers and conductors and look after them, in the event they become Covid positive.

  The health related activities will be handled by the Kalutara base hospital. Food and other essential needs are provided by the SLTB. Another COVID treatment centre will be opened in Moratuwa soon.

"The government honour the SLTB crew members for their dedicated service. They resume work soon after they recover from the viral infection. The SLTB employees have greatly contributed to keeping the private and state services stable while some are trying to stage protests," he said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)