Relevant association to join carriers' protest on 23 February

Chisinau, 22 February /MOLDPRES/- The Employers 'Association of Transport Professionals -Transportatorul (Carrier) announced that it will join the protest of the Employers' Association of Road Transport Operators, which said that on 23 February it will stop regular passenger transport throughout Moldova, including private transport (occupying over 50% of capacity) in Chisinau.

At the same time, the Carrier Association demanded that the public transport staff be vaccinated first of all, be provided free of charge with protective equipment, and benefit from salary compensations for each month of the pandemic. It was also requested the distribution of free diesel "necessary for the activity of regular passenger transport, from the state reserve and international aid".

Last week, the Employers' Association of Road Transport Operators announced that on 23 February regular passenger transport will be stopped throughout the country, including the capital, the decision being a reaction to the application of fines for violation of point 4.4. from Decision No45 of the Extraordinary National Commission for Public Health (CNESP). It provided for the limitation of the number of people in rail and road transport in district and inter-district traffic - to 50% of capacity, and in road transport in local and municipal traffic - within the limit of 50% of boarding capacity.

On 20 February, the Extraordinary National Commission for Public Health decided to suspend, until February 28 inclusive, the provision of limiting the number of people in rail, road, district, local and municipal traffic to 50% of capacity.

CNESP took the decision, after the most representative transport associations gave assurances that they will mobilize its members to strictly observe the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the transport units.

Although CNESP's previous decision displeased carriers, it was argued by the high risk of contracting the virus during transport travel, non-compliance with COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures by both transport service providers and passengers, as well as increasing epidemiological indicators of the new coronavirus.