Rules and regulations at R&Rs
Highway users reminded to follow guidelines at rest areas
jo.timbuong@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Motorists are being advised to expect longer queues due to social distancing at Rest and Service Areas (R&Rs) along the expressways.
Under the “new normal”, body temperature will be recorded and those who stop to perform their prayers will also need to bring their own prayer mats and telekung (prayer shawls).
While this may be an inconvenience to some, PLUS corporate, community and public engagement head Syed Mohammed Idid Syed Ahmad Idid said the response from road users had been positive.
They understand these measures were implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19, he said.
“They understand it’s the new normal and they can’t just freely move about within the rest area.
“There are more steps to be followed so that means it would take more time to complete errands there,” he said.
He said travellers resting at the R&Rs are subject to temperature checks and registration and they need to practise social distancing while buying and consuming food.
Syed Idid said measures were in place to ensure there was social distancing in the restrooms and surau.
“We are very serious about this and if we find out social distancing is not practised at the R&R, we can order it to be closed,” he said.
Similar practices are expected to be followed at the two R&Rs on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) as they become fully functional.
“The R&Rs are ready to serve customers according to the SOP, including social distancing, wearing of mask, temperature checks and recording time of visit,” said Projek Lintas Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) general manager of highway operations Mohd Fuad Kamal Ariffin.
Prolintas is the concessionaire for GCE.
Meanwhile, both concessionaires are expecting increased traffic volumes on their highways as travellers take the opportunity to be reunited with families after being separated for about three months due to the movement control order (MCO).
Syed Idid said PLUS projects traffic volumes could reach 1.5 million vehicles today as travellers make their way home for the new work week.
“This is a manageable number as we managed up to 1.7 million vehicles on a daily basis before the MCO,” he said adding PLUSRonda patrolling units and highway operations team were out in full force.
Prolintas is also expecting 300,000 more vehicles to ply the GCE which is up to 30% more than normal days.
On Twitter yesterday, the
Malaysian High Authority (LLM) reported slight congestion at several points.
They believed travellers had taken the opportunity to travel interstate after the ban was lifted, following the start of the recovery MCO on June 10.
LLM started of reporting smooth traffic flow in the early morning heading east, north and south of Peninsular Malaysia.
However by around 9am, traffic had started to build up as it reported slight congestions at several destinations such as Port Dickson, Pedas Linggi and Kuala Terengganu.