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Taxi’s and COVID-19: What You Need To Know

Peterborough Taxis

by ItupDown

It’s no surprise that every industry is hit hard during the coronavirus outbreak, especially services such as public and private taxi drivers. Many livelihoods are at stake as the virus continues to take its toll in the UK, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The self-employed can apply for taxable subsidies in the amount of 80% of their average monthly profit to counteract the loss of income due to the coronavirus. Most taxi drivers are self-employed and pay their bills week after week from the income they receive while driving.

However, many of these measures will not be implemented until the end of May/beginning of June. The advice currently coming out for the self-employed is to apply for a universal loan-so there’s an eight-week no-income gap that puts drivers at risk.

Many key workers rely on taxi services to get to and from work, especially now that their schedules have been ramped up due to the virus. There is an argument that taxi drivers should be treated as important employees. After all, without it, many institutions will do without a vital workforce, and as a result, lives may be lost. As taxis are used to transport people affected by the virus, the argument for recognizing taxi drivers as important forces are getting stronger every day.

However, there is good news. For those who work as taxi drivers in Peterborough, the mayor of Peterborough has extended for six months the driving licenses of drivers whose licenses are due to expire between March 23, 2020, and June 30, 2020. This applies from the date the driver’s License ends. However, this depends on vehicle inspections. Other councils will follow the same procedures.

 

What should you do if you’re still working?

If you decide to work during COVID-19, you are already sure that you may be gathering people who may have the symptoms but are unaware of them. Because they often encounter other members of the public, they are at a higher risk of contracting the infectious disease. Especially if you transport people who work in hospitals.

The first death in Thailand from COVID-19 was that of a taxi driver. In this sense, you have the right to refuse cases unless you transport people with COVID-19 symptoms to the hospital.

This includes rejecting people with flu-like symptoms, people traveling from high-risk areas, or people who have self-isolated/isolated. If you have recently been in contact with such people, isolate yourself for at least 7 days.

 

Good hygiene during work

Although we are all told to wear face masks and gloves, they may not be practical for taxi drivers and may not necessarily help protect healthy people to prevent the virus. There are other ways to protect yourself from passengers who may be carrying the virus.

Avoid direct contact with passengers and their belongings

This is very difficult if you are constantly dealing with the public. However, always make sure that the passenger respects social distancing and sits in the back seat. Don’t let anyone in front of you. If you are dealing with objects that are not yours, use gloves or handkerchiefs when handling them.

Wash your hands regularly

That should become second nature by now. We were regularly told to wash our hands thoroughly regularly. If you drive all day, this can be tricky. If possible, have antibacterial gel and wipes in your vehicle. Make sure you use them after handling money and items and make sure you dispose of them properly between trips.

Wear handkerchiefs in your cabin

It is always useful to have a charge, especially now. They are convenient for you and your passengers to cough or sneeze.

Do not sneeze into your hands

If you can, make sure you sneeze into your elbows. It is easier to spread the virus by touching your face and other people with your hands.

Please, for God’s sake, don’t touch your face.

It is one of the main rules that have been drilled into us from the very beginning – do not touch your face. This is easier to do when you are not in an office. Your hands will usually be on the steering wheel, so you are less likely to touch your face than those who work at a desk or behind a counter. If you have to touch your face, take a handkerchief in advance.

Pay attention to other passengers

If a passenger of yours shows signs of illness in the car or before boarding, make sure that he follows the rules of hygiene that you follow yourself. If you need handkerchiefs, wipes, or hand sanitizer, give them to them. Ask them to cough into tissues or your elbow. Ask them not to touch your face. Maybe you have a sign or a note in the back seat that you can read before the trip starts. You don’t want to get sick and spread the disease to other passengers – so make sure you know that.

 

Information for the public and those who come by taxi

Whether the services that taxis offer are still available in your area depends on the decisions of your local municipality regarding public services. This varies from council to council. Taxi drivers were classified as non-critical workers during the coronavirus lockdown. However, exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. As already mentioned, this may change shortly as you may be recognized as a key force.

You should not take a taxi unless necessary, and you mustn’t get into a taxi for your trip if you experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms. If you travel now, you may put many lives at risk. You must take precautions to protect yourself, your driver, and other members of the public during the covid-19 pandemic.

Here’s what you need to consider:

always sit in the back seat of the car to maximize social distancing.

  • do not have physical contact with your driver.
  • avoid paying with cash. Pay with a contactless card or via an app, if available.
  •  if you are carrying luggage, lift it in and out of the vehicle yourself. Do not let the driver or other people touch it.
  • be sure to carry antibacterial wipes with you so that you can clean the seat belt and door handles before and after use. Some taxi companies already deliver them to their customers.

If in doubt about taking a taxi, please contact your local taxi company to inquire about the rules and regulations they have while traveling during this time.

Here, too, the following applies: only take a taxi if necessary. Otherwise, you can find alternative methods of travel.

Peterborough Taxis work with the top insurers in the UK. Peterborough Taxi aims to bring you the most competitive prices we can, catering to all different types of people and businesses.

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