The Hanoi People’s Committee has requested bus operators in the city to reduce their services by 80% from March 27 to April 5 as a measure to limit the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photo: VnExpress

Frequency of each bus line is downsized to 40 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes each and the operation period is from 6.00a.m to 08.00p.m. Normally, the frequency is every 5 minutes,10 minutes and 15 minutes and the operation time if from 5.00a.m to 10.00p.m. 

Thai Ho Phuong, deputy director of the Hanoi Urban Transport Management and Operation Center, told local media that the reduction of bus frequency is applied to all inner and suburban routes. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, the authorities will make the next decision.

Nguyen Thai Nam, deputy director of Yen Vien Bus Co., said that all the buses are equipped with disinfectant hand sanitizers for passengers. Bus routes such as City tour, No.86 and No.90 connecting the downtown with Noi Bai International Airport provide free face mask for passengers.

On March 25, the city’s mayor Nguyen Duc Chung recommended that local people should limit the use of public transport.

As of March 27, Vietnam reported 153 infection cases, including 20 cured. Hanoi has the largest number of infected people with 51, according to the city’s health department, followed by Ho Chi Minh City with 40 (three of them cured).