A bus driver was yesterday revealed to have contracted COVID-19, causing alarm for members of the public who still rely on public transport to get to their workplace or purchase necessities.

This was further accentuated by multiple pictures shared online depicting the reality of the public transport situation. Servicing the route between Marsalforn and Victoria in Gozo, one commuter shared a picture of a full-up bus at 6.30am despite measures being introduced to minimise the number of people on a bus at a given time: "IF we continue like this it's going to take us a long time to heal," he wrote in the caption.

Also shared yesterday, was a picture of a crowded Bugibba bus terminus, despite health authorities’ warnings to keep at a safe distance from one another.

Earlier last week, Malta Public Transport fumigated buses to prevent further spread of the disease, and while it is a step in the right direction, it clearly needs a well-rounded approach (drivers following directives and commuters mindful of restrictions) to see this mission through. This can go two ways: increase bus trips during peak hours so both drivers and passengers can commute in relative safety or temporary halt public transport services.