In a note to the media, the company presented a wide range of measures, "under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport", with a view to "not allowing trains and stations to become outbreaks of contamination and spread of the disease", which will be implemented from Thursday onwards.
Among the main restrictions imposed are the reduction of the daily circulation of suburban trains, "from the current 17 daily frequencies to eight", the limitation of the number of people on board, where "third class coaches are reduced from the current 100 passengers to the maximum limit of 50" and second class coaches "are reduced from the current 70 passengers to 48".
Suburban connections will only run between 06h30 and 18h00 in Viana station, while trains to the city of Dondo are suspended for an indefinite period.
The long-distance trains Luanda-Ndalatando-Malange and Luanda-Luinha remain active, although subject to the evolution of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (which causes Covid-19 disease) in the country, which has already registered the first cases in the capital.
The administration of the Luanda Railroad, headed by Júlio Bango, also announced the strengthening of hygiene and disinfection conditions in the stations and carriages, and the dismissal of employees with high age or chronic diseases during this period.
The operator's measures are also part of a Ministry of Transport circular that was known on Monday and which warns of the importance of reinforcing preventive measures for workers in the sector, the hygiene of vehicles, the protection of passengers and drivers, the closing of borders for people for 15 days since 20 March, the recommendation of the use of masks and the adoption of social security distance.
Angola has counted only three cases of Covid-19 infection, but has already suspended all flights for two weeks and decreed the suspension of classes in schools and universities, in addition to the closure of land and sea borders, except for goods transport.
