YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN
As flights diminish, taxi drivers report that business has dropped by 75 per cent
France Watters wants to make sure people understand the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic so she headed to Regina International Airport on the weekend to remind travellers returning from abroad to observe self-isolation practices.
On Saturday night shortly after Sunwing Flight SWG540 touched down in Regina, passengers sporting tans, shorts and surgical masks congregated outside the arrival doors.
As the passengers returning from Cancun made their way along Regina Avenue heading east into the city, France Watters was there to greet them with a sign and a warning.
“OBSERVE SELF-ISOLATION LIVES ARE AT STAKE” read her bright yellow sign.
On a night where movie theatres, clubs, coffee shops and bars were closed, most people found there was little to do. But Watters — frightened by the lackadaisical approach many have toward COVID -19 — took it upon herself to warn and inform those coming home.
“I thought, I need to take this into my own hands and just do as much as I can and throw it in people’s faces that they need to be held accountable and they need to do something,” she said in an interview.
“I’m 57, I don’t care what people think of me anymore, I’m way past that. So I thought I’ll do what I can.”
She said most people have been receptive, though one person “in a big truck yelled something juvenile,” at her.
Regina Airport Authority president and CEO James Bogusz said the last international flight into the city is expected to touch down Monday at midnight.
Inside the airport, the singular exit from the terminal to the luggage area is plastered with warnings about self-isolation and potential fines international travellers could face if they disobey the isolation order.
“They are going to see a substantial amount of signage when they arrive,” said Bogusz.
But there is no system corralling international travellers, who face mandatory self-isolation, from domestic travellers.
“There’s no physical way to separate or change the fact that someone could be domestically travelling mixing with those who would be internationally travelling. There’s no physical barriers,” said Bogusz, adding that it is easier to practise social distancing given reduced traffic at the airport.
“If you’re visibly ill, don’t come to travel,” he said, urging people to take this seriously as airports are an essential service in Canada.
Out at the airport taxis still line up for fares when flights arrive.
Glen Sali, manager of Capital Cabs, says he sends 12 texts a day to his drivers, checking in and reminding them to clean their cars.
He has advised his drivers to seat passengers in the back seat and to open and close doors for them to limit the amount of surfaces touched. Cabin filters have also been replaced in each car. Cars are cleaned after each fare, said Sali.
“I know how uncomfortable it would be for a customer to get into a taxi, and for the driver, too, not knowing,” said Sali. “We want to keep everyone safe.”
But things are slow for cab drivers at the airport and around the city.
Capital Cabs has seen roughly a 75 per cent decrease in business in the past week alone.
“It’s a scary time,” Sali said. “It’s going to get worse and we realize it.”
He said some drivers have been concerned about picking people up from the airport for their own safety, but drivers still show up to work.
“We disinfect the car before and after. There’s not a lot of people taking taxis. I don’t think there will be much tomorrow,” said Sali. “I need to keep them safe.”
Searching for supplies has been tough since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Attempts to buy masks and cleaning wipes for his drivers has proven difficult. Sali is appealing to people to do their part and stay home.
“It’s a tough a time,” said Sali. “People have got to listen. You look at Italy. 600 people in one day.”
It’s something Watters keeps in the back of her mind as the number of fatalities continues to climb around the world. She urges people to do their part and be accountable to their city and their community.
“Everybody needs to do it,” she said.
“Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not here.”