Taxis and lockdown – what you need to know

Now that most people are back at work under Lockdown Alert Level 1, what would be the protocol and rules when travelling in a taxi? Who is held responsible for keeping passengers safe from contracting Covid-19 while travelling in a taxi?

Let’s have a look at what Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, has put in place for taxi owners to keep their passengers safe from contracting Covid-19.

Who is responsible for taxi passengers’ safety from Covid-19?1

On the 16th of July 2020, Minister Mbalula left the responsibility of keeping passengers safe to the taxi rank owners. When President Cyril Ramaphosa made this decision, he allowed taxis to operate at 100% capacity, as the National Taxi Association pleaded for the return to maximum capacity to survive financially.

With the national government further opening up the economy, public transport represents a real threat when it comes to containing the spread of Covid-19. Regulations are in place to ensure that the disinfecting and sanitising of these public facilities is done. The responsibility of these facilities being cleaned and sanitised has been solely left to the owners of the taxi ranks and facilities.

It’s up to the owners of these facilities to ensure that everyone wears a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth. It is also up to the owners to make sure that their staff are equipped with the right masks and are aware of the protocols when addressing the public.

What protocol is required while operating a taxi under Covid-19?1

• The owners of the taxi rank facilities will not be allowed to accept any member of the public into their facility if they are not wearing a mask or other appropriate cover that covers the nose and mouth.
• Taxi drivers and other employees will have to wear a mask as well as a face shield.
• It is up to the taxi operators to ensure that public transport vehicles are sanitised before and after operation.
• Windows must be opened approximately 5cm on both sides of the public transport vehicle.
• It is up to the taxi operators to ensure that after every load that the doors, window handles, armrests and handrails are sanitised.
• Self-sanitization of passengers must be implemented when entering and exiting the taxi.
• Passengers will not be allowed to use a taxi if they do not wear a mask or other appropriate face covering.
• It will be up to taxi operators to implement social distancing, where possible, to help curb the spread of the virus.
• On long-distance trips, taxis will only be allowed to travel at 70% capacity.

With taxis back in full swing, some people would make use of their private motor vehicles or have a lift club. Private vehicles are allowed to operate at full capacity again. When a person is travelling alone, they do not have to wear a mask, but when there are passengers, everyone is then required to wear a mask and to sanitise when entering or exiting the vehicle.

If all of the protocols are being adhered to, it should help slow down or curb the spread of the coronavirus.

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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.

Source:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-07-16-mbalula-spells-out-new-taxi-regulations/