Continue social distancing and good hygiene measures including washing your hands before putting a face covering on or taking it off. The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory on public transport in Wales, this includes taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. The Department for Transport and Public Health England has issued Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance to transport sector workers. We have published information on coronavirus (COVID-19), travel and transport advice and guidance for operators. Alternatively keep a large bottle of water and a bar/bottle of soap. As of 27 July 2020 all passengers using public transport (including taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs)) must wear a face covering. Self-isolation, support as an extremely vulnerable person. International travel is only permitted for limited reasons. You can find out about the rules on cleaning, masks and eligibility for financial support by reading; Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Point-to-Point Commissioner Coronavirus (COVID-19) fact sheet for the point to point transport industry. UK lockdown rules: Covid restrictions for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland explained ... Face coverings are mandatory on public transport, in taxis⦠Englandâs average is 153.5. Along with security guards, they are more likely to die with Covid-19 than any other occupation. Children under 11 years old are not required to wear a face covering. All of Wales is now at alert level 4, which means that: Please see Alert level 4: frequently asked questions for further details of the new rules. Consider keeping a supply of face coverings for passengers who do not have a face covering with them. Please see FAQs on face coverings for further information. Information for the taxi and private hire vehicle industry. If you have a DVLA photocard or a driving licence entitlement that expires between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 you will be given a 11 month extension from the date of expiry. Many garages that undertake repairs remain open. Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers can continue to work. Read stay-at-home guidancefor households with p⦠Taxi drivers have among the highest death rate of coronavirus in the UK, figures show. Ensure that passengers wear a face covering (see section on face coverings below). However in order to assist in reducing the transmission of Covid-19 in the area we would expect drivers and operators to establish reasons for travel taking place during the alert level 4 lockdown. In the vehicle. image copyright Getty Images image caption Most UK arrivals need to self-isolate for 10 days It's important for passengers to be able to identify you as a legitimate driver. Can taxi and PHV drivers support passengers with accessibility issues while maintaining social distancing? PHV operators and taxi intermediaries that are employers must carry out a risk assessment in line with government guidance. Contact Us. Public waiting areas at booking offices, websites and apps should also display notices. Can I take a taxi under lockdown? As the operator of a taxi or rideshare, you should follow advice from the Department of Transport. Read the full guidance on staying at home and away from others for everyone in the UK. Welsh Government recommends wearing a three layer face covering. As a self-employed licensed driver you must conduct a risk assessment to understand the risks and what you can do about them. What you must do to keep Wales safe from coronavirus when arriving from abroad. If you have fewer than 5 employees including non-drivers (dispatchers, booking agents etc), you don’t have to write anything down as part of your risk assessment. The driver is not liable under the regulations, however, it is recommended that you consider the following steps if a passenger is not wearing a face covering: Notices advising passengers of their legal obligation to wear face coverings should be displayed in a prominent place in taxis and PHVs. Collecting passengers returning from international travel, Information for passengers of taxis and private hire vehicles, Alert level 4: frequently asked questions, coronavirus (COVID-19) support for businesses, grant to help pay for essential costs such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel, keep up to date on information about stopping the spread of COVID-19 and self-isolation, Guidance and examples of risk assessments, Welsh Government legislation and guidance, guidance on the legitimacy of fare refusals in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have guidance on their website, Check your licensing authority’s website for information, familiarise yourself with the guidance in relation to face coverings, video on how to make a 3 layer face covering, how public transport operators can keep premises and workplaces safe, people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, people must not visit other households, or meet other people they do not live with, many types of businesses are required to close, the rear of the front seats and other surface the passenger(s) may have touched or coughed/sneezed on, check that they will permit the installation, ensure that the screen and installation will meet their requirements. It is suggested that you familiarise yourself with the guidance in relation to face coverings. Only two households - plus an additional single person who lives alone - ⦠Visit Preparing Wales to find out how this may affect you, How to self-isolate when you travel to Wales: coronavirus (COVID-19), Travellers exempt from Welsh border rules: coronavirus (COVID-19), Travelling safely (coronavirus): guidance for the public, Working in or from a vehicle: coronavirus workplace guidance, Requirement to wear a face covering on public transport in Wales, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Persons Travelling to Wales etc.) You cannot charge for face coverings as part of a hackney carriage fare unless explicitly permitted by your local authority. You should keep up to date on information about stopping the spread of COVID-19 and self-isolation. Guidance on how you can keep safe and what rules are in place to protect people at alert level 3. The NHS Covid-19 app has been set up to work alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. You should establish reasons for travel from passengers to ensure this is in line with alert level 4 restrictions. Passengers travelling in a taxi or PHV without wearing a face covering, may be liable to a fine. COVID-19 alert levels. Health advice is available on the NHS Wales website. Rules ⦠The Institute of Licensing has provided some guidance on the legitimacy of fare refusals in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Further information on travelling safely and the mandatory use of face coverings. All of Wales is in lockdown (alert level 4). Protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Taxi/PHV drivers and operators are not legally required to obtain contact information from passengers, although it would be good business practice to do so. Financial support packages are available to businesses. The radio promotion, by the Licensed Taxi ⦠You should think about how you work and ways you can protect yourself and your passengers. If you share a vehicle with other drivers you should regularly clean the following: A thorough clean of the vehicle with standard cleaning products should be completed at the end of each shift/working day. You should advise passengers against non-essential travel, and it would be considered acceptable to refuse a passenger making a non-essential journey during this time. Transport providers follow this guidance to protect passengers from coronavirus. Hackney Carriage drivers will therefore need to carefully consider the individual circumstances of passengers and assess the risks and all relevant precautionary measures that may be taken before refusing a fare. Keep the vehicle well ventilated, and open windows when possible. The installation of protective barriers or safety screens is a decision for licensing authorities, PHV operators and firm/individual operating the vehicle to make based on their own assessment of risk. The UK has now left the EU. Guidance and examples of risk assessments are provided by the HSE.Risk assessments must reflect the current Welsh Government legislation and guidance.