2020 is turning out to be a torrid year for everyone in the world with Coronavirus outbreak. Originated in Wuhan Province, China, COVID-19 is spreading across the world with India caught in its storm. With over 50,000 cases so far and 1,783 people losing their lives, India is struggling to overcome the virus despite the Governments herculean efforts. Social distancing remains one of the important steps to follow in the Coronavirus Pandemic with WHO and Indian Government insisting on it. Kerala is fighting the Coronavirus epidemic and has shown good results so far. Taxi drivers in Kerala are doing their own bit to stop further transmission of this deadly virus by installing fibreglass separation in their vehicles.
Fibreglass partition is important in the taxi as the driver and the passengers are in close proximity. Using the fibreglass partition, the driver and the passenger are separated thus reducing the chances of virus transmission. Ernakulam administration has demonstrated the use of fibreglass in taxis that transporting passengers to and fro from the Kochi Airport. This information has come via a report in the All India Radio.
Fibreglass is easy to install plus it’s affordable ensuring that social distancing is practised. The district administration asked the taxi drivers to keep sanitisers in the vehicle. Taxi drivers are requested to open the door for the passengers as they wouldn’t touch the doors. To reduce more physical contact with passengers, online payment would be the ideal mode of payment. Only two passengers would be allowed in a cab and wearing masks is compulsory for them. The driver also is required to wear a mask and gloves.
Kerala sets an example in innovation, fibreglass separation in the taxi cabs would continue for a maximum time period of 1 year. This is done for the overall safety of the driver and their family. AC would not be permitted in the taxis as of now. Taxi services have resumed in non-hotspot regions of Kerala as part of the relaxation permitted in Lockdown Phase 3. Resuming taxis was crucial as the number of non-residential Kerala citizens would be returning from abroad. Fibreglass taxis would save the drivers from any Coronavirus transmission inadvertently.
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