Union slams taxi loading decision
The union called on the government to reverse this decision and renegotiate with taxi operators, especially as the country moves toward the Covid-19 peak.
The Health and Other Services Personnel of South Africa, (Hospersa) has slammed government’s decision to allow 100 percent taxi loading capacity, calling it ‘reckless’.
Hospersa said the decision contradicted many of the other regulations in place and had ‘huge potential’ to collapse an already under pressure health sector.
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It labelled the decision ‘a death knell in the fight against Covid-19’ as risk of transmission was likely to increase at a crucial time when the virus was peaking.
Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that taxi operators would now be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity over short distances and 70 percent capacity for long distance travel.
He added that taxi drivers must allow ventilation by opening windows and must ensure passengers wear masks.
Hospersa general secretary Noel Desfontaines said the president’s decision would increase the risk of transmission amongst the many health care workers who use public transport to commute to work, thereby putting the health sector on the brink of collapse as more staff members would need to self-quarantine.
“The 100 percent taxi loading capacity contradicts the notion of social distancing,” he argued.
“It makes no sense to have commuters observe social distancing at work yet they are expected to sit in close proximity in a minibus taxi en route to their various workplaces. As a result of this, we should expect to see an increase in the infection rate and less capacity in health facilities to handle the exponential Covid-19 cases.”
The union called on the government to reverse this decision and renegotiate with taxi operators, especially as the country moves toward the Covid-19 peak.
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