Covid-19 - Basic guide for Taxi drivers and operators

Information correct at the time of publishing 20 November 2020.

Before accepting a booking

Drivers and or operators are required to ask:

If the customer or anyone in their household have had coronavirus symptoms (New cough, high temperature and loss of smell) in the last 14 days
If the customer has been told to self-isolate by a Doctor or the Test and Trace service
If customers have Covid-19 symptoms, or have been told to isolate, politely decline the fare and remind them to adhere to the government social distancing guidelines.
Remind passengers that they are expected to wear a face covering, and unless they are exempt, they will not be allowed to travel.

Limit the number of customers travelling within the vehicle. You should must only accept customers from the same household (including legal support bubble).
Request that all customers sit in the back of the vehicle.
Ask customers with luggage / bags to put in the boot themselves. Only assist if they are struggling by asking customers to leave next to the boot and move 2 metres away and putting in yourself. Drivers should sanitise their hands after handling the luggage
If you take a break at your operators' base, stay at least 2 metres away from other drivers and have no more than two drivers in at any one time.

Avoid cash payments and take card payments, where possible. (We would strongly recommend setting up a contactless payment system. There are systems such as iZettle, sum up, or square reader (other brands are also available). These are usually relatively cheap to set up and run
Wash your hands before beginning work thoroughly, using soap and water and as often as possible throughout the day
Use and dispose of face coverings and gloves safely and properly;

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and after removing it
When wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands
Change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you've touched it
Continue to wash your hands regularly
Change and wash your face covering daily
If the material is washable, wash in line with manufacturer's instructions. If it's not washable, dispose of it carefully in your usual waste
Follow the Health and Safety Executive's advice on the correct removal of gloves

Carry hand sanitiser gel with you at all times and use regularly throughout the day if handwashing facilities are not available
Carry disposable tissues and a plastic bag with you to catch coughs and sneezes and dispose in a plastic carrier after use. Have these available for customers too. Dispose on daily basis or every few hours
Avoid using air conditioning within the vehicle and open windows to help air circulation, and removal of airborne virus particles
Avoid any skin contact with customers, if you do touch a customer sanitise your hands afterwards.

Wipe down all door handles (internal and external), seat belt clips using anti-bacterial wipes, disinfectant spray with cloth prior to beginning work and especially after each journey (between customers)
Clean your driver door, steering wheel, gear stick, switches and other areas you touch on a regular basis
Dispose of waste safely in a bin and wash your hands again thoroughly
If you share the vehicle with another driver, thoroughly clean the car before you pass it on.

You should follow the guidance on our Employers and employees advice during Covid-19 web pages.

Regularly clean all contact points with anti-bacterial wipes, disinfectant spray with cloth (telephones, surfaces, door handles and other areas)
Display a poster reminding customers that they must wear a face covering in the waiting area.
If employees are likely to be in contact with members of the public they must wear a face covering. (If they are protected by a screen they do not need to wear one)
Display posters regarding hand hygiene and social distancing Poster - Hands, Face, Space (PDF, 685 KB) Poster - Handwashing (PDF, 517 KB) Poster - Covid Secure Premises (PDF, 624 KB)
Make provisions for staff to be 2 metres apart or install screens wherever possible and clean regularly
Provide hand sanitisers gels for staff Poster - Please use Hand Sanitiser (PDF, 503 KB)
Limit customers entering booking office if a 'walk-in' office is provided. Ensure seating is arranged so customers can wait 2 meters apart (remove chairs or close off parts of benches with tape)
Install screens between staff and customers and clean regularly
Ensure that toilet facilities are regularly cleaned throughout the day and all hand contact surfaces are wiped down. Ensure they are supplied with plenty of soap and paper towels.
Update your website and social media with instructions and rules for customers so they know what to expect
Provide a neutral moisturiser, for example E45 to help prevent employees from developing dermatitis from frequent handwashing and sanitizer application.