Bengaluru: With the Government likely to announce further lockdown relaxations in districts where COVID cases are less, including Bengaluru city, following the end of the current lockdown on June 21, the State-run BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) is ready to operate buses in Bengaluru city limits from June 21, with a set of COVID rules and regulations.

As a  first move in this regard, BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta held talks with BMTC MD, Bengaluru Police Commissioner  and Health Department officials, at the BBMP main office here yesterday.

During the talks, BMTC officials are said to have agreed to operate  50 percent of its fleet from June 21  with a set of rules and regulations, which included  capping of  bus occupancy at 50 percent of capacity, monitoring of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by passengers and staff and avoidance of crowding at bus shelters, among others.

As a precautionary and safety measure ahead of probable lockdown relaxation, the BMTC has made COVID tests mandatory at Majestic Bus stand and all its terminals and TTMCs across Bengaluru city.