WOODS OF SUDBURY
'A Family Business - A Better Service'
Taxi * Private Hire * Airport Transfers
Covid-19
Covid-19
Passenger and driver welfare has always been our priority at woods and during this global pandemic, we are doing everything possible to ensure safety for all.
Passenger and driver welfare has always been our priority at woods and during this global pandemic, we are doing everything possible to ensure safety for all.
This useful information has been taken from the GOV.UK Website.
This useful information has been taken from the GOV.UK Website.
Taxis and private hire vehicles
Taxis and private hire vehicles
At taxi ranks try to keep your distance from people outside your household, where possible. Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from others, where possible .
Taxi and private hire vehicle (for example minicab) operators are likely to have put in place new measures to help with social distancing. When traveling in taxis or private hire vehicles follow the advice of the driver. For example, you may be asked to sit in the back left hand seat if travelling alone. You may want to check with your taxi operator before travelling if they have put any additional measures in place.
If you need to be near other people you should avoid physical contact, try to face away from other people, and keep the time you spend near other people as short as possible. Be aware of the surfaces you or others touch.
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas.
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and after taking them off. When finishing your journey, we recommend you:
- follow local guidance
- wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands as soon as possible.
In line with information received from our local licensing authority from the Department of Transport, for local transport restart, we have noted key points for your information. If anyone wishes to know what procedures we as a business are putting in place, please do not hesitate to call 01787 372572 we are happy to reassure you with the measures we are taking.
In line with information received from our local licensing authority from the Department of Transport, for local transport restart, we have noted key points for your information. If anyone wishes to know what procedures we as a business are putting in place, please do not hesitate to call 01787 372572 we are happy to reassure you with the measures we are taking.
Should taxi and private hire vehicle drivers or passengers wear PPE such as a mask?
There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally
beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a face
covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have
not yet developed symptoms. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in
crowded areas.
We are advising passengers if they can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space
where social distancing isn’t possible, and where you will come into contact with
people you do not normally meet - such as when travelling in a taxi or private hire
vehicle.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by
healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These
should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in
their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings,
like those exposed to dust hazards.
Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by the law. If you choose to
wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before
putting them on and taking them off. Use the guidance on face coverings to
understand how to wear and make a face coverings.
Other measures such as changing habits, social distancing, screens, cleaning and
hygiene are also suggested in the guidance.
Should protective barriers be installed between drivers and passengers?
The installation of protective barriers is a decision for licensing authorities, PHV
operators and firm/individual operating the vehicle to make based on their own
assessment of risk.
They may also wish to consider:
• Use of ventilation
• Reducing occupancy to individual passengers in the back left-hand seat for
vehicles that do not enable 2 metre separation; considering reducing
occupancy in a larger vehicle.
Can a taxi or PHV driver refuse to admit a passenger who is not wearing a face covering?
Taxi and PHV drivers are advised to make an assessment of risk as outlined in the
transport operator guidance published on 12 May. The acceptance of a booking
request by a PHV operator is a decision made based on the operator’s own
assessment of risk. Any requirements for face coverings should be made clear to the
passenger before the operator accepts the booking. Taxi drivers can use this
assessment to determine whether or not it is reasonable to admit a passenger who is
not wearing a face covering, considering other mitigations they put in place from their
risk assessment. This does not however absolve them of their duties under the
Equality Act 2010.
Why are taxi and PHV drivers not considered critical workers?
Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered critical workers.
Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of ‘extremely
vulnerable’ people may be considered critical workers on a case-by-case basis.
Critical workers should make suitable arrangements for their children to stay at home
where it is safe for them to do so; the need for children to attend school should be
discussed with the school.
Can taxis and PHVs transport workers to and from hospitals?
Yes.
Can taxis and PHVs transport passengers of ill health in and out of hospital?
Yes, but individuals should not use taxis or PHVs if:
• They have symptoms of COVID-19 – a new, continuous cough or a high
temperature
• Any of your household are self-isolating due to experiencing symptoms of
COVID-19.
Can taxi and PHV drivers support passengers with accessibility issues while maintaining social distancing?
Taxi and PHV drivers are still under the same obligation to provide reasonable
assistance and make reasonable adjustments for disabled passengers. The
guidance includes advice on measures that workers and passengers can take when
it is not possible to maintain the recommended social distance.
You can also copy and paste this link for further operators guidance from the Department of Transport
You can also copy and paste this link for further operators guidance from the Department of Transport
Please check this page for additional regular updates.
Please check this page for additional regular updates.
KEEP SAFE!
KEEP SAFE!