Drivers follow covid-19 prevention protocol
Botswana Railways has allayed fears that its drivers crossing into South Africa and Zimbabwe on a daily basis could present a serious Covid-19 risk to the rest of the citizenry.
BR has two goods trains, one that hauls soda ash through Lobatse to Mafikeng and ferries fuel, maize and salt back into the country.
The other goods train leaves Francistown daily through Ramokgwebana to deliver in Zimbabwe.
Each train has a three man crew at all times, a security officer who escorts the wagons, the engine man (driver) and the train man who acts as a manager.
Concerns over BR drivers escalated after a Motswana truck driver tested positive for Covid-19 after entering the country from South Africa through the Tlokweng border.
New regulations for truck drivers were immediately put up to restrict their movement when they arrive in the country.
Under the new regulations, police escorts truck drivers to their places of delivery.
From the moment they’re cleared by health officials to enter the country, police then take over to ensure that they go straight to gazetted delivery stations and nowhere else where they can expose the public to possible danger.
Unlike their counterparts from the trucking industry, train drivers still enjoy the liberty of self-monitoring.
Once they are cleared after mandatory temperature taking they are allowed to go home and mingle with the rest of the citizenry.
A concerned driver told The Voice that everything has been left up to drivers to ensure that they do not put themselves in danger.
“We’re advised not to go to shops in Zimbabwe and South Africa, instructions we we adhere to, but is it wise to leave such an important decision that can jeopardise the safety of the entire country to an individual?” He asked
“I think BR is not doing enough. One mistake from a careless drive and the whole of Francistown could be affected,” warned the concerned BR employee.
However Botswana Railways Public Relations Officer, Squander Baitshepi said the parastatal is doing all in their power to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 regulations.
Baitshepi said they have been working with District Health Management Teams (DHMT) in Francistown and Lobatse to fumigate their areas.
“We’ve been extensively talking to our train crews on Covid-19 protocol and advising them on how they should carry themselves outside the country to minimize possible contact,” he said.
Baitshepi said the crews’ temperatures are recorded at departure and on arrival.
“We monitor early indicators and are never going to relax with scanning and following protocol,” said Baitshepi.
“But remember, anyhow you look at it, it begins with an individual. Personal health is a responsibility of every individual and our train crews are aware of this,” Baitshepi said.