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Conrad Mupesa Herald Correspondent

FORTY Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) drivers and conductors operating in Chinhoyi have decried the lack of protective clothing which they said was putting their lives and those of their passengers at risk in view of the novel coronavirus.

In separate interviews yesterday, the workers said although they were mandated to transport people, there was need to reduce the risk of transmission.

“We are yet to receive protective clothing so that we conduct our duties without fear,” one conductor said.

“We have since received sanitisers, but we feel we should also get access to masks and gloves to protect ourselves and our passengers from the deadly virus.”

Other workers underscored the need to have their vehicles disinfected as another preventive measure.

Zupco acting chief executive Mr Evaristo Madangwa said the transport utility had started disinfecting buses and commuter omnibuses across the country while the allocation of protective clothing to drivers and conductors was underway.

“The spraying of buses is being done countrywide as we speak,” he said.

“We are complementing Government’s efforts to combat the spread. We are also in the process of providing our drivers and conductors with protective clothing and sanitisers.”

Chinhoyi has three Zupco buses and 18 commuter omnibuses that serve different routes in the town.

A survey by The Herald showed that people had heeded the call for lockdown as evidenced by the reduced number of people using the buses.

Meanwhile, Chinhoyi town was deserted yesterday as police and prison officers patrolled the streets and urged people to stay at home.

Social distancing and temperature testing was also being conducted at most shops which were open.