The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Kohima in Nagaland issued new SOPs for city bus and taxi operation in the city which came into effect from Monday.

The RTA in a release on Monday said that in buses seating arrangement will have to be made in a zigzag manner, leaving alternate seats vacant.

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This, the release said, should be done to ensure that social distancing is maintained.

Moreover, the release added, no passengers would be allowed to travel by standing.

"Every bus should be sanitised or fumigated at the end of each day," the release added.

The release said the drivers and conductors will have to wear a facemask and also ensure that no passenger is allowed in the bus without a face mask.

Hand sanitizer should be made available in the bus for passengers while boarding passengers have been asked to carry necessary fare to maintain minimum contact.

This was decided at a meeting in the office of Kohima additional deputy commissioner Lithrongla T. Rutsa.

In view of the current pandemic, the meeting fixed bus fare per passenger at Rs 20 till September 30. It will be reviewed with further relaxations in the SOP.

Every bus owner should make sure that a transparent barrier between the driver's cabin and passenger area is made to avoid contact.

Driver and conductor should remain inside their vehicle and avoid group gathering or assembly at the workplace.

With no scope to maintain social distancing, two-wheeler taxi services will remain suspended until further notice, the Nagaland government said.

In a taxi, only three passengers are allowed- one beside driver and two at the backseat.

The taxi fare will remain at Rs 25 per passenger.

The RTA said violators will be penalised as per relevant MV Act.

Checking will be carried out from time to time by the district administration, police and motor vehicle department.