Many taxi drivers equip themselves with partitions to prevent Covid-19 epidemic

Since the beginning of the year, the number of infectionsCovid-19in Nghe An has been increasing rapidly. By the end of March 9, the whole province had recorded nearly 150,000 cases of Covid-19 infection, with over 45,000 cases currently being treated. Due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, strengthening epidemic prevention measures in production, business and service activities is a top priority.

Taxi drivers in Nghe An have been equipped with partitions to limit contact with passengers, strengthening the prevention of Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: QA

Due to the nature of their work, taxi drivers in Nghe An often come into contact with passengers, many of whom come from different regions and are in high-risk groups for contracting Covid-19, so recently, taxi drivers in Nghe An have proactively installed anti-epidemic partitions in their cars.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, Truong Thi ward, a taxi driver in Vinh city, said: "Since the whole Vinh city moved to level 3, some services and restaurants were allowed to reopen, so the number of customers has also increased. On average, I carry about 15 customers per day. Although I have fully equipped myself with masks and hand sanitizer, due to the complicated developments of the epidemic and having a small child at home, I proactively installed a partition to ensure safety because I come into contact with many strangers during the day...".

It is known that Mr. Nam learned the idea of ​​installing a partition through books and newspapers as well as referring to the methods of drivers in other localities. With barriers, mica plastic sheets or nylon sheets, it is easy to install a partition at a cost of only a few hundred thousand dong.

The cost to install a partition only ranges from 200,000 - 300,000 VND. Photo: QA

According to a survey by PV, not only Mr. Nam but currently, most taxis and service vehicles in Vinh City have been equipped with Covid-19 prevention partitions. If it is elaborate, it will be a separate compartment in the driver's compartment, if it is simpler, there will be plastic sheets to cover the front and back seats, minimizing contact between the driver and passengers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai,Hung Dung wardsaid: "I often take taxis, at first I felt a bit confused, but after listening to the driver's explanation, I think this is a very good idea to prevent the epidemic, also creating a sense of safety for passengers when getting in the car, raising awareness and responsibility to the community...".

In addition to installing partitions, drivers also stick QR codes for passengers to make full health declarations. In addition, for fare payments, drivers are now also encouraging people to pay online via accounts to minimize contact. If passengers want to pay in cash, there will be a small box on the partition to pay the driver.

Passengers are encouraged to pay online, if paying in cash there will be a small box at the partition to pay. Photo: QA

According to research, although installing a partition does not affect the structure of the vehicle, it will cause some inconveniences such as the driver will not be able to recline the seat to rest when there are no passengers or will block the view of passengers when sitting in the back seat... However, with the highest goal of preventing the spread of the epidemic, the installation of partitions is supported by people and the community.

Previously, Nghe An Department of Transport issued Official Dispatch 412/SGTVT - VT on Organizing passenger transport activities to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. It recommends that taxis and technology vehicles with less than 9 seats (contract vehicles, tourist vehicles using electronic contracts) must have a partition between the driver's compartment and the passenger compartment, electronic payment and strictly implement epidemic prevention and control work according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport./.