PM orders ministries to study staggered work hours to reduce traffic congestion

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered authorities to study the possibility of permanently staggered working hours as the Covid-19 pandemic eases because such a policy might help ease long term traffic congestion.

Staggered working hours, as well as working from home and learning from home, could be enforced in future to solve traffic problems, according to the PM. He tasked the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation with studying staggered school hours to gather data.

According to the PM, government organisations have already introduced staggered working hours, beginning at 7:30, 8:30 and 9.30am.

“Teaching for the subjects that may allow students to study at home will reduce travel time to schools and have impacts on parents’ trips to send their children to schools. School hours will be arranged appropriately with the ages of students. It will be another ‘new normal’ way of life.”

Prayut says the beginning of the new school term is still scheduled for July 1, but the government is monitoring the situation of the virus.

“I want schools to open. But what if the disease spreads again? This must also be considered.”

SOURCE: MCOT