The regular passenger transport service will be stopped in the Republic of Moldova on February 23 in protest at the non-acceptance by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission of carries’ demands. There will be suspended also the national and inter-district regular routes, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the Employers Association Road Transport Carriers.

According to the Association, the transport operators that have over 1,500 units of transport included in their authorization confirmed that they will stop their activity. By the end of February 22, confirmation is also expected from operators with over 2,500 units of transport.

The restrictions imposed by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission on November 20, 2020 can be respected by the operators, but the harsher conditions can be met only if the authorities suggest a set of epidemiologic, economic, social and financial measures. The carriers noted the penalties for the violation of the then decision should be applied in strict compliance with the Contravention Code and only on the subjects that committed the vitiations. Authorities that are not empowered to impose penalties against a section of the national economy cannot apply penalties in the form of restrictions.

The Employers Association of Transport Professionals “Transportatorul” also announced that it will suspend the regular district and inter-district routes on February 23, 2021. In a press release, the Association says the halt in transportation will lead to a serious disruption in economic and social processes in the country.

Also, given that the public transport personnel are exposed to serious risks, the Association “Transportatorul” asks to vaccinate all the drivers working in public transport within seven days, to provide protective equipment and disinfectant for each unit of transport, to immediately pay compensations equal to the average official monthly salary to drivers for each month of pandemic from the state budget and to distribute free diesel fuel that is needed in the activity of regular passenger transport from the state reserve and international assistance.

On February 15, the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission decided to limit the number of passengers in the railway and road municipal, district and inter-district transport to 50% of the transportation capacity. Later, on February 20, the Commission put off the implementation of its decision until February 28 inclusive. In the period, checks will be carried out to see how the road transport operators comply with the agreed conditions and how the passengers, drivers and operators obey the epidemiological measures.