Taxi Driver Online

Not sure what this guy here trying to achieve, but first instinct was to echo what's said in the newsapaper's comments section about 'free adverstising' and attempting to cash in from coronavirus fears.

Well, I daresay that's the intention, but does anyone really think this is a good way to attract business to his firm, or for the trade generally?

I'd guess it'll just put people off using taxis generally, but whether it would benefit his particular firm I don't know.

But some people I'm speaking to are claiming it's all affecting the economy already, and people not going on nights out etc because of it, and no doubt the travel sector will be affected. I doubt if Brexit has been helping in that regard either

Any views from elsewhere?


CORONAVIRUS: Barkerend Taxis in Bradford attempts to prevent spread

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... nt-spread/


Image: Telegraph & Argus

With the fear of coronavirus increasing, following a confirmed case in Ilkley over the weekend, a Bradford taxi firm is taking steps to try and improve sanitation and prevent any possible spread.

Tawheed Ghazanfar, 18, of Barkerend Taxis, has announced that all the firm’s drivers will now be regularly using hand sanitiser, as well as other hygiene products, as he argues those who work in the industry are at a higher risk of getting coronavirus due to how many people they will typically come into contact with on shift.

“We want to make sure that drivers take extra care, as the threat of coronavirus increases”, Mr Ghazanfar said.

“We want other taxi firms, as well as the public, to know about this and hopefully do the same thing.

“We can pick up thousands of customers over the course of a week so it’s important that our drivers step up and always use hand sanitiser and hygiene products.”

The number of confirmed cases in the UK climbed to 40 yesterday.

On Sunday, the Bradford district had its first confirmed case – that of a woman from Ilkley who had visited Italy with her family. The woman and her family have now been said to be self-isolating at home.

Two people from Leeds were also confirmed to be infected, after a visit to Iran, while Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that Bradford Royal Infirmary had been testing patients at NHS 111 pods.

Bradford Council's senior leadership team are believed to have spent this afternoon planning a collective response to the challenge presented by coronavirus.

“The recent confirmed cases are very nearby - our drivers operate across West Yorkshire so it’s very concerning”, Mr. Ghazanfar said.

“It’s becoming a genuine fear and a big problem - anyone can get it and spread it.

“But I think taxi drivers in particular are at high risk, because of how many people they always interact with, and because they are always handling money - money goes everywhere and gets passed around.

“We’ve ordered lots of hand sanitiser and we hope others will follow suit.”

Despite the concern, officials have reassured those in the district that the chance of catching coronavirus is ‘low’.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Directors of Public Health for Leeds City Council and Bradford Council, Victoria Eaton and Sarah Muckle, said: “We would like to send our best wishes to those affected as they continue their recovery.

“Leeds and Bradford have robust infection control arrangements in place and strong partnership arrangements across the health and care system.

"The councils are working closely with Public Health England, the NHS and all our health and care partners to prevent further spread of the virus. As such, the risk to people living, working, studying and visiting Leeds and Bradford remains low and the cities are very much open for business. In the meantime, it is important to follow good hygiene practices and if you show symptoms please ring NHS 111, rather than your GP, or go to a hospital. Leeds City Council and Bradford Council will continue to work with Public Health England to share timely and relevant information with the public and our partners.’’

Let's all scare everyone sh**less.

That's going to help our trade no end.

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IDFIMH

our government isn't helping either we have fewer cases than most of the larger European countries and they are talking about infection rates of nearly 100 times those in china

so we have 51 surely to god it should be fairly simple to isolate all those in contact with confirmed cases it's not as if those 51 people have been touring Britain trying to spread the infection the way that cult did in South korea

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I watched Boris's press conference today, as I had to be in for the bloody dishwasher man.

Anyway I thought it was a very measured tone by the PM, and the two boffins each side of him.

What the boffins said was that they expected the rates to be lower than China, not more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvJ5oTwyGWY

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IDFIMH

London coronavirus: Heathrow taxi firm takes incredible steps to prevent virus spreading

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-lon ... m-17856799

Drivers at Redwoods of Heathrow are spraying their vehicles with anti-bacteria spray after every journey


Image: Redwoods of Heathrow/My London

A West London taxi firm is taking extraordinary steps to try and prevent coronavirus spreading among passengers.

Drivers at Redwoods of Heathrow are spraying all parts of their vehicles which passengers touch with anti-bacterial spray after every journey.

The company, based in West Drayton, says all 50 of its drivers have been provided with the spray to carry out regular cleaning.

Simon Field, customer service manager at Redwoods of Heathrow, said: "Obviously [coronavirus] is a big story at the moment and as a public transport provider we are picking up a lot of customers and we want to play our part in order to keep the virus under control.

"It's important. Everyone can play a part in helping to prevent coronavirus [from spreading] and anything that we can do as a mini cab company is great.

"The potential for the virus to spread is great for a mini cab company and we are just trying to play our part."

edwoods of Heathrow operate mainly in the West London area, and many of its passengers either want dropping off or picking up from Heathrow Airport .

Drivers were made aware of the new policy on Tuesday (March 3), and have been told to spray all parts of their vehicles that passengers come into contact. This includes door handles and the inside seating.

Mr Field believes the extra cleaning will help reduce the chances of drivers contracting coronavirus as well.

"Obviously it's a concern for everybody," said Mr Field.

"It's a huge problem and the drivers are exposed like anyone else in the public industry.

"Anything we can do as a company and our drivers can do can will help prevent the spread."

As of Tuesday, a total of 51 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

More than 13,500 others have been tested for the virus, which has seen several schools and offices across the capital close.

British Airways and Ryanair have also cancelled hundreds of flights due to the coronavirus outbreak and a downturn in bookings.

Flights departing from Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport over the next month have been affected, with both airlines citing a lack of demand for travel to some parts of the world caused by Covid-19 for the decision.

Mr Field said the company has noticed a lack of passengers needing lifts to and from Heathrow since the virus outbreak.

"We have seen a decrease [in trade]," he said.

"In the drop off areas, which tend to get very congested, there is a lot less vehicles.

"With airlines actually getting banned from flying to certain countries it has definitely affected the amount of vehicles you see."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it virus-borne rather than caused by bacteria, so anti-bacterial spray is pointless?

Just wash your hands with soap and water.

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IDFIMH

Correct.

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IDFIMH

Haven't being paying too much attention to this, but this was the frontpage of the Scottish Daily Mail today

Well this is going to be good for trade

The rest of the article is about the thing generally, so I haven't included it all


FLUBER Fears two children may have got coronavirus from a TAXI after travelling in car used by infected patient

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11096173/ ... dren-taxi/

TWO primary school pupils are feared to have caught coronavirus after travelling in a taxi an infected patient had travelled in.

The children have been asked to self-isolate for two weeks after their family was contacted by health bosses.

Oliver Battery Primary School in Winchester confirmed the two pupils will stay at home for a fortnight but the chances they have been infected are 'very low'.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Carly Redfern said: "As the pupils have not had direct contract, they are at a very low risk of contracting the virus. However, as a precautionary measure, the children have been sent home and will be in quarantine for the advised 14 days."

whatever we do it is difficult to reduce the risk but precautions such as avoid shaking customers hands regular washing of hands before eating etc not just us but our customers

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I wonder when someone in the press/authority is going to mention the dangers that we, as a trade, face.

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IDFIMH