TEGUCIGALPA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Honduras took another step toward normalizing day-to-day activity on Monday, restarting the operation of public transit following months of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials from the Honduran Land Transportation Institute (IHTT) said new measures were in place to keep units clean and prevent spread of the novel coronavirus.

Among the measures is a regulation that limits units to 50 percent of their passenger capacity, the IHTT's Commissioner Pyubani Williams said.

Drivers will also be able to circulate for longer hours, with the previous 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours prolonged to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition, national flights resumed operating, while international flights are to restart on Aug. 17.

Meanwhile, the National Risk Management System (Sinager) on Sunday night extended its nationwide pandemic red alert until Aug. 23.

Honduras has reported 47,454 cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,495 deaths from the disease. Enditem