You should think about how you work and ways you can protect yourself and your passengers. International travel is only permitted for limited reasons. You may transport a passenger that is exempt or has a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering: Hackney Carriage drivers are not permitted to refuse hire without reasonable excuse. ... Rules had been due to be relaxed to allow people to celebrate the holidays with loved-ones, but … 5) (Wales) Regulations, apply from Sunday 20 December 2020. Your licensing authority may have made changes. But the new rules will ban travel to tier … 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. Letters from the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Transport and Economy to UK ministers and UK travel industry outlining the situation about local lockdowns in Wales. The Institute of Licensing has provided some guidance on the legitimacy of fare refusals in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Thursday night, a … Visit Preparing Wales to find out how this may affect you. Transport providers follow this guidance to protect passengers from coronavirus. Includes strategy, reports, projects and assessments. The “stupidity” of one person who ignored coronavirus lockdown rules caused police officers in north Wales to become stuck in heavy snow. If it does not affect your ability to drive safely, you wear a face covering, but do not let the use of a face covering give you a false sense of security. People will be able to travel from Wales to tier one and two areas in England and Scotland from Friday. Passengers travelling in a taxi or PHV without wearing a face covering, may be liable to a fine. As a driver, you do not have to write anything down about your risk assessment. What you need to do at alert level 4. You should always ask a passenger to put on a face covering before they get into your vehicle, but you should be aware that some passengers may be exempt or have a reasonable excuse for not wearing one. See our video on how to make a 3 layer face covering for further information. 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. From Monday 27 July 2020 it is compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport in Wales. You should never give rides or take taxi rides if you suspect you might have coronavirus or feel generally unwell. Although it is only a legal requirement for passengers to wear a face covering on public transport, in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission, we would advise that drivers also wear a face covering. Financial support packages are available to businesses. You should not use the recirculated air option for the car’s ventilation system when carrying passengers. However, journeys must be for essential travel only such as for work purposes where people cannot work from home, or shopping for essential items. 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. Search Business Wales webinar for various COVID-19 business online events. In the vehicle. If this is not possible you should wash or sanitise your hands after handling money. The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory on public transport in Wales, this includes taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). Shoppers are conflicted as to what to do about their Christmas plans after a change in rules on Wednesday. At this time you should not be transporting passengers to house parties and social events outside their households/social bubbles. You must ensure that your vehicle remains safe and roadworthy. See further information on self-isolation rules. This should include a visual check on all lights, oil & water levels, tyres, mirrors, seat belts and access ramps (where applicable). Coronavirus: Retail workers and taxi passengers must wear face masks under new restrictions. You can refuse to take a passenger if they are not wearing a face covering … Passengers who are blind and partially sighted, Changes to licence application processes and licence expiries. Information for the taxi and private hire vehicle industry. Can I refuse to carry passengers through fear of infection? Here's what you need to know. 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. It is a legal requirement that operators provide information to passengers about the requirement to wear face coverings. England’s average is 153.5. Coronavirus advice for people returning from abroad or planning to travel. Covid: Wales moves to tightest rules after Christmas. You can be prosecuted for driving an unsafe vehicle. Ask the passenger why they are not wearing a face covering to establish whether they are exempt or have a reasonable excuse such a health issue that prevents them from wearing a face covering (they do not have to provide proof of exemption). Friend Colin Griffiths, a part-time taxi driver, doesn't think it will be viable to keep bars open if they don't sell food. Passengers should not share a taxi or PHV with someone outside their household or their support bubble, unless the journey is undertaken for an exempt reason. This must be done following the current social distancing rules. Drivers transporting these passengers from the port/airport will not be subject to the quarantine rules, but should follow the measures outlined in this guidance to keep yourself and passengers safe. All of Wales is in lockdown (alert level 4). In the weeks leading up to the festive period, Wales had the highest infection rate of any UK nation with the country, at one point, featuring in nine of the top 10 highest UK Covid case rate areas. Public waiting areas at booking offices, websites and apps should also display notices. ... A ride that 'feels safer than a bus or a taxi' Video, 00:01:42 A ride that 'feels safer than a bus or a taxi' Published. Can I install a safety screen in my vehicle to protect myself from coronavirus (COVID-19)? How to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic if you drive or employ people to drive vehicles. You should encourage drivers and passengers to download the. Welsh Government recommends wearing a three layer face covering. Visit Preparing Wales to find out how this may affect you. Welsh Government. How to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic if you drive or employ people to drive vehicles. Apply for a coronavirus test, contact tracing, guidance for employers. The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory on public transport in Wales, this includes taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). 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. The new rules affect England, but the prime minister said he expected Scotland, Wales … A taxi driver or private hire vehicle operator will be entitled to refuse to accept you if you do not wear a face covering, unless you are exempt from this requirement. What you must do to keep Wales safe from coronavirus when arriving from abroad. Taxi and PHV drivers will need to consider their duties under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to transporting passengers with disabilities. Ensure that passengers wear a face covering (see section on face coverings below). You should follow the guidelines above including good hygiene practices when it is not possible to maintain the recommended social distance. Customer services. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. After cleaning the vehicle, you should open windows and doors to ventilate for 5 minutes between passengers. You will need to book an appointment at one of our customer service centres. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. Earlier this week Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething said it could be "weeks" before there is an announcement on the Covid rules around Christmas. 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. What you need to do at alert level 4. Welsh Government recommends wearing a three layer face covering. The radio promotion, by the Licensed Taxi … Along with security guards, they are more likely to die with Covid-19 than any other occupation. The Department for Transport and Public Health England has issued Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance to transport sector workers. Ask passengers if they have had a positive coronavirus test in the last 10 days, if they have you should refuse service. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. The UK has now left the EU. Guidance on how you can keep safe and what rules are in place to protect people at alert level 3. It is suggested that you familiarise yourself with the guidance in relation to face coverings. If potential passengers have symptoms such as a persistent cough, or high temperature or loss of sense of smell and/or taste, you should direct them to NHS Direct and refuse service. As it is a mandatory requirement that passengers wear face coverings in taxis and PHVs, you should refuse to transport a passenger who is not wearing a face covering if they do not have a reasonable excuse to not be wearing one. Can taxi and PHV drivers support passengers with accessibility issues while maintaining social distancing? As of 27 July 2020 all passengers using public transport (including taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs)) must wear a face covering. Protect yourself and others from coronavirus. England’s average is 153.5. Wales BANS public transport users from talking on mobile phones, reading newspapers, eating food or running for the bus in new Covid rules. Support is available for people who are employed to help you keep your job or financial assistance if you are ill or self-isolating. Requirement to wear a face covering on public transport in Wales. These restrictions apply because Wales is subject to Alert Level 4 rules. Passengers should be reminded to wash their hands before entering the vehicle and after the journey. The rules on getting a taxi during lockdown have been revealed. If you do decide to obtain contact information you should put measures in place to make sure that the personal information that you collect, store and process is compliant with the GDPR requirements. Risk assessments must reflect the current Welsh Government legislation and guidance. ... Coronavirus (COVID-19): taxis and PHVs; Contents Print this page. Further information on travelling safely and the mandatory use of face coverings. He then added: "I did breach covid rules for a few seconds by forgetting to put my mask on before I got in the cab. You should keep up to date on information about stopping the spread of COVID-19 and self-isolation. Children over 11 years old travelling on dedicated school transport in a taxi or PHV are also exempt from wearing a face covering, but they will need to wear one for ordinary taxis/PHV journeys that are not part of dedicated school transport. Information for the taxi and private hire vehicle industry. Travel restrictions & social contact rules in Wales. You may need to remove your face covering in order to communicate with passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. 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. 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.) Anyone showing symptoms associated with COVID-19 are urged to stay at home and not take any journeys. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. The Development Bank of Wales is a unique lender to businesses in Wales. Only two households - plus an additional single person who lives alone - … By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Guidance and examples of risk assessments are provided by the HSE. Self-isolation, support as an extremely vulnerable person. This should be at least 60% alcohol based. Contact Us. Leaving your home and seeing other people: alert level 3 Rules on meeting people outside your home at alert level 3. Dispose of used tissues in a bin straight away. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Taxi drivers have among the highest death rate of coronavirus in the UK, figures show. Introduction. Further information on travelling safely and the mandatory use of face coverings. Covid-19 guidance. You cannot charge for face coverings as part of a hackney carriage fare unless explicitly permitted by your local authority. The risk assessment will help inform decisions and control measures. Ask passengers to sit in the rear of the vehicle. 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. Regulations 2020, Local council sustainable transport measures: allocation of funds, Letters from the Welsh Government to the UK travel industry and UK ministers about local lockdowns in Wales. Many garages that undertake repairs remain open. The NHS Wales Test Trace and Protect service has been set up to control the spread of new outbreaks through testing those with symptoms, tracing their close contacts and protecting family, friends and communities through self-isolation. Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers can continue to work. Therefore, please be prepared to remove your face covering so passengers can see your identity matches up with your displayed licence badge. For example some people cannot wear or put on a face covering due to a physical or mental illness. Passengers must wear a face covering in a taxi or PHV, unless they are exempt. 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