Namibian taxi drivers become antiCOVID19 agents

NAMIBIA - Namibian taxi drivers have become agents of anti COVID19 efforts since the declaration of the state of emergency by the Namibian Government early March.

Sem Thomas is one of the taxi drivers in Namibia transporting essential services workers to and from work during the lockdown period. He sprayed handsanitizer on three passengers in his fiveseat vehicle before he drove off.

“I ensure that all passengers are sanitised before we embark on the journey. I also disinfect the vehicle after every trip done in accordance with the set regulations,” Thomas said on Friday in Namibia’s capital Windhoek.

The public transport operators have embraced the stringent health and safety measures to curb COVID-19, making sure passengers feel safe.

Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, said that only public transport providers in compliance with the safety and hygiene measures would they be allowed to operate. “So we do not have much choice. Either you comply, or you are out of business,” said Thomas. The taxis also promote social distancing, allowing no more than three passengers in a fiveseat car,” Thomas added.

Another Windhoek-based taxi driver Gerry Eliander said that although the industry is not profitable at the moment, he sees it as his contribution towards the fight against COVID19 and sustaining of what is left of the economy.

“Essential services workers are important at this stage. Thus, even if earning 100 Namibian dollars as opposed to the regular 400 Namibian dollars a day is worth it. In fact, it is better than nothing,” he said.

The patriotism of taxi drivers is not limited to the capital city operators.

Wisa Amweenye drives a taxi between Oshakati and Outapi in the northern part of Namibia, covering a distance of more than 80 kilometres.

Amweenye too has mandatory hand-sanitizer.

“I also wear gloves and a mask to protect myself and others. Gloves are critical for drivers because of the hard-cash exchanged with clients; given that the majority of the inhabitants here uses cash,” he said. In addition, passengers in his seven-seat sedan have been reduced to only four, including the driver. Moreover, public transport drivers also see themselves as ambassadors of education efforts and information disseminators of fact about COVID-19.

Most taxis issue pamphlets on COVID-19 to passengers or engage in meaningful conversations.

“Instead of playing music from a memory stick during the long trip, we listen to the radio station broadcast in the local vernacular language because it provides information on COVID-19 regularly,” said Amweenye. Meanwhile, operators have also started embracing electronic banking transactions to reduce the flow of hardcash.

“Sometimes I ask my passengers to send me an ewallet to my mobile phone or other methods of payment,” said Eliander.

The taxi union leader, Werner Januarie, said that although the industry has been hard-hit, adherence by those operating is crucial to ensure safety.

“The industry saw a major decline in proceeds, with some drivers having abandoned their work,” he said. The taxi employs more than 40 000 drivers in Namibia. In the meantime, clients, mainly essential services workers, have commended efforts made by the taxi drivers.

“At first we were worried about the conditions of taxis and their defiant patterns. But over time and given their consistent efforts to maintain hygiene and comply with anti-COVID-19 efforts, we feel safe in the taxis,” said Selma Ananias, an essential service provider. In the interim, public transport remain critical to essential services workers in the various sectors and travelers with permits during the lockdown period, according to Shangula.

“It is vital that we engage continuously with the transport sector to maintain safety and hygiene. The aim is prevention,” he said. Namibia has recorded 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

(Xinhua)