Taxis industry screened and tested
Business is not the same. It is slow and there are fewer people going to town
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Gauteng MECs launched the testing and screening programme for the taxi industry and the Ivory Park Taxi Rank on May 19.
Khulekani Bhekiswayo, a taxi driver who was tested for Covid-19, said it is very important to know their Covid-19 status at all times to protect their loved ones when they return home after work.
“It becomes difficult not to follow the current rules and regulations because our health is at risk. Once we get sick we cannot provide for our families and that’s why we are here, to be able to provide.
“Our association makes sure we stick to the allowed number of passengers, and the police are checking on the roads.”
Theo Malele from the National Taxi Association said they are quite happy with the efforts by the minister since the beginning of lockdown.
“This programme also helps us to registrate our passengers, which will help us track down passengers if necessary.”
All passengers will register their details when boarding a taxi, said Malele.
Buti Johannes Mkhonza, the chairperson for SANTACO GP and a well-known business person, applauded the minister for the visit to Ivory Park.
“I thank the minister for coming here and making sure that our area of work is safe, as well as our passengers and drivers,” said Mkhonza.
“Our drivers and queue marshals will be screened often, our commuters will continue to sanitise and wear masks when boarding a taxi.”
Mkhonza adds that as SANTACO they have made a request to the government for financial relief and the government has agreed to the application.
“The government is just finalising a few things so they can be able to assist us and we appreciate their assistance. The taxi rank is a R20-billion industry, which also suffered since lockdown was announced.”
Walter Chauke, a taxi marshal, said the taxi marshals received sanitisers. “Drivers were tested and screened and sanitised as well as the taxis were sanitised inside and out. We strongly advise commuters to comply 100 per cent with the rules for everyone?s safety.
“Business is not the same. It is slow and there are fewer people going to town,” said Chauke.
