Safety screens can be installed in town taxis to guard against virus

TAXI drivers in Cheltenham will now be able to install in-car safety screens to guard against coronavirus.

Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet gave the go-ahead to change policy on protective guards last night, which will now mean licensed taxi drivers can voluntarily fit them if they choose to.

Using physical barriers can be effective in lowering the risk of infection of Covid-19, the authority said, adding there is no evidenceto suggest a screen would “provide 100 per cent protection” against transmission.

The borough council also said the policy is designed to provide taxi and private hire drivers with the confidence they need to return to work, as ONS data shows licensed drivers to have a greater risk of mortality relating to Covid-19.

According to a council report,1,000 letters had been sent as part of a consultation with taxi traders.

Fifty-one individuals responded and 35 of those were opposed to screens, citing concerns that some insurance providers would not allow screens to be installed.

The policy is discretionary, so it will be up to the individual taxi drivers to decide whether to install a screen and it will also be up to the customer to decide whether they want to enter a vehicle without one.

Speaking in the council meeting, councillor Andrew Mckinlay (LD, Up Hatherley) said: “Clearly taxi and private hire drivers have been quite badly hit in the Covid-19 crisis.

“Not only because of their economic situation but also because they are one of the most at-risk groups in terms of actually catching the disease and the number of fatalities.

“This council has a commitment not just to protect the drivers but also the travelling public as far as we can. This policy does not make protective screens mandatory.

“Firstly because there is no Government legislation which allows us to do that, but also there was significant opposition from the consultees to that.

“What that is going to mean is we are going to have a mixed fleet. Some drivers will have screens, some won’t, depending on their on circumstances and their own view.

“What I would say to the travelling public is it is entirely up to you when you use a vehicle.

“Make sure you use one that you feel is suitable for your needs and maximises your safety.”

The authority’s cabinet unanimously backed the proposals in the meeting on Tuesday night.