Taxi drivers liable for masks, windows, Mkhize warns
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that taxi drivers and conductors will be held liable if passengers fail to adhere to the lockdown regulations.
Mkhize and Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku visited Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday morning.
Mkhize said he has discussed measures that can be taken to curb the spread of Covid-19 with taxi associations, including the opening of windows and the wearing of masks.
This amid concerns that the new regulations, which allows taxis to operate at full capacity, will only serve to further spread the disease.
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"When they get inside, because distancing is not possible, they must open the window,” Mkhize said.
"There's a degree of opening the window that is enough that will create the flow of air so that the outside air can ventilate and push the air out of the vehicle enough to ensure that the droplet do not have time to settle on an individual.
"We believe there's quite adequate support to ensure the reduction.”
Mkhize said drivers have a responsibility to ensure that their vehicles do not spread the virus.
"We have reached out to say let’s look at a number of mitigating steps which are going to negate all the actors that are going to arise.
"Number one, everybody going into the taxis must wear masks. We will actually take action against the operator who will not insist on people putting on a mask.”