If you are a taxi driver then we thought you may find the following points of interest in relation to the coronavirus. It is worth mentioning now that taxi drivers can continue to operate their service as normal but the government has introduced certain additional measures that taxi drivers must comply with. You will find full details on the gov.uk website.
- If you have been told to self-isolate or have symptoms of coronavirus you should not go to work. Get tested if you have symptoms and remain in your home until you receive the result.
- Passengers in taxis should be reminded about social distancing measures. This is to aid in slowing the spread of the virus.
- A risk assessment must be undertaken by self-employed taxi drivers with a view to understanding what you need to do to protect your passengers and yourself.
- Prior to a passenger getting in your taxi Hull you should ask him or her if they have any symptoms of coronavirus such as loss of taste or smell, a new cough or a fever. You should also ask them whether in the last 10 days they have had a test for coronavirus that was positive. If they have then you must tell the passenger that you are unable to take them in your taxi.
- If you happen to come into contact with a passenger or their luggage then you must sanitise or wash your hands before and after contact.
- You should, from a social distance, show your face to your passenger. This is to show them that you are the driver.
- Passengers have to wear a face covering whilst in your taxi unless he or she is exempt. You are allowed to refuse a passenger who is not wearing a face mask unless he or she is exempt from doing so. A taxi driver isn’t required to wear a face covering unless requested to do so by the operator or licensing authority but it is advisable to do so.
- Passengers should sit a reasonable distance from each other in the taxi.
- The taxi’s air vents or windows should be opened when a passenger is being carried.
- Wherever possible, take a card payment.
- Remind a passenger that he or she should wash his or her hands or use a sanitiser at the end of the journey.
- Between journeys you should clean the areas of your taxi that have been touched by the passenger i.e. seats and door handles. You should continue to wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds or use a sanitizer. You should ventilate your taxi by opening doors or windows for a minimum of 5 minutes.
We hope that the above information is of use to you and helps you and your passengers avoid getting coronavirus.
