Transport Vehicles Less Than 9 Meters Long Forbidden to Carry Standing Passengers

As of May 17 at 23:59, new restrictions have been established by the Prime Minister to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in ground passenger transportation.

"The responsibility for ensuring healthy and safe conditions is fully borne by the management of the passenger transport company. The work carried out in the ground passenger transport sector for the prevention of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is conducted according to the phases of development of the epidemic situation in the country. The following rules are currently in effect in the ground passenger transport sector:

REGULATED AND UNREGULATED PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

1. General Rules
   1. The organization responsible for carrying out regular and irregular passenger transportation (hereinafter referred to as the Organization) designates a responsible person for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus disease (hereinafter referred to as the Responsible), who ensures proper supervision of the compliance with sanitary and epidemiological safety rules and hygiene norms, as well as the availability of necessary equipment, materials, and facilities, including at least records of disinfections and the health status of workers (other records as deemed necessary) in the corresponding register.
   2. Efforts should be made to refrain from involving workers from high-risk groups for severe progression of the coronavirus in work, in accordance with Article 186 of the Labor Code of the RA. High-risk groups include: _{a. Individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g., cancer); b. Individuals aged 65 and older; c. Individuals with chronic diseases (respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease (hepatitis), chronic neurological diseases (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke), d. Individuals with diabetes mellitus.}
   3. The transportation of standing passengers in vehicles is prohibited, except for vehicles longer than 9 meters. The total number of passengers in vehicles must not exceed the total number of seats available, and the addition of makeshift seats is prohibited. A distance of at least 1 meter must be maintained between standing passengers in vehicles longer than 9 meters.
   4. The Organization provides employees with personal protective equipment including three-layer masks and gloves, disposable tissues, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
   5. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers must be placed at the entrance of all passenger transportation vehicles.
   6. The Organization ensures that special boxes or other adapted containers for cash payments are available in all vehicles to minimize contact with cash.
   7. The Organization ensures proper awareness for employees and passengers concerning safe behavior and sanitary-epidemiological safety norms, including posting informational leaflets in visible areas in accordance with the guidelines set by decision Appendix N 15. Informational bulletins must be posted in visible areas of all operating passenger transport vehicles.
2. Organization of Station Areas
   1. Crowding of people in open parking lots or vehicle gathering areas is prohibited. The benches and common-use spaces in these areas should be disinfected at least twice a day.
   2. Waiting rooms, restrooms, and food points must be disinfected regularly, at least twice a day.
   3. Handwashing facilities with running hot and cold water, elbow or foot-operated taps (where not possible, immediate disinfection options), and soap should be provided.
3. Disinfecting Vehicles
   1. Vehicles must undergo deep disinfection a minimum of twice a day, with one mandatory disinfection occurring before trips. All surfaces of the vehicle's interior are subject to disinfection. Disinfection must be conducted according to the guidelines outlined in the Minister of Health's March 16, 2020 directive regarding COVID-19 prevention.
   2. After dropping off passengers at the end of each route (and during long-distance or time-consuming routes lasting more than 3 hours), ventilation should occur, along with the disinfection of door handles, seat armrests, (in intercity buses, also folding tables, seatbelt buckles, personal control panels (lighting, ventilation, call for attendant), seating areas, individual monitors made of plastic/metal/leather, and if a restroom is available, it must also undergo preventive disinfection with disinfectant wipes or solutions.
   3. At the end of each day, final disinfection of vehicles is carried out by specialized organizations contracted for this purpose, utilizing necessary protective equipment.
   4. Compressed air and/or water pressure methods are not to be used for cleaning purposes, nor any methods that could aerosolize infectious material. Vacuum cleaners may only be used after proper disinfection has been performed.
   5. After the completion of cleaning and disinfection, protective clothing, shoes, personal protective equipment, and cleaning supplies should be collected in marked bins or bags for disinfection.
4. Rules for Drivers
   1. Drivers are to undergo temperature checks using non-contact or individual thermometers at least twice a day, one being upon arrival at work. A temperature log shall be maintained. Drivers with a fever are prohibited from taking routes and should immediately inform the Ministry of Health hotlines at 8003.
   2. Drivers must wear personal protective gear including three-layer masks and gloves, which must be changed every three hours.
   3. Designated areas providing social distancing of 1.5-2 meters are ensured for drivers’ breaks and meals.
5. Rules for Passengers
   1. Passenger boarding and the presence of passengers in the vehicle's interior is excluded unless they are wearing personal protective gear—mask and gloves.