Safety stickers issued to city’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles
Gloucester City Council has issued stickers to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers to remind passengers to wear face coverings while travelling in their vehicles.
The city council has issued safety stickers to drivers throughout the city to display on two windows of their vehicles.
Drivers are being kept up to date via text message, on the latest government guidance about how to keep themselves and their passengers safe.
Guidelines that have been issued include encouraging drivers to ask passengers if they have Coronavirus symptoms or have had a positive test in the last 10 days. If the passenger confirms that they have, then the licensed driver should refuse to take them.
Other important advice includes washing hands before and after contact with a passenger or their luggage and that passengers must wear a face covering in a taxi or Private Hire Vehicle, unless they are exempt.
The Council is advising drivers that they can refuse to take a passenger if they are not wearing a face covering and they are not exempt.
Drivers do not have to wear a face covering, but it is recommended unless it affects their ability to drive safely.
In addition, windows should also be open when carrying passengers and the licensed vehicle should also be cleaned where passengers have touched before taking the next fare.
Councillor Dawn Melvin, cabinet member for Economic Recovery and Growth at Gloucester City Council, said: “We are doing all we can to help the city’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers keep themselves and their passengers safe. They provide an important service for many people and we want to ensure that they keep providing that service as safely as they possibly can.”