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Taxi industry skeptical following face masks repeal

Taxi drivers of Greater Alberton Taxi Association (GATA) openly expressed their health concerns following a repeal of regulations regarding Covid-19 pandemic.

After two years and exactly three months of wearing face masks, Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla recently repealed regulations regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

This includes the mandatory wearing of face masks. The repeal comes after the country was plagued by the pandemic, which also introduced strict health regulations.

However, taxi drivers belonging to the Greater Alberton Taxi Association (GATA) have expressed their concerns over health risks.

GATA transports commuters to and from Alberton including Thokoza, Greenfields, Eden Park, Sky City and Katlehong.

GATA’s PRO, Morena Mthunzi, said: “I think we were still supposed to wear face masks inside combis because we still have a large number of people who haven’t yet vaccinated, who haven’t taken boosters either and we are not sure whether the virus still exists or not.”

Speaking for drivers, Zama Malinga said they welcome the decision by the minister, however, they are sceptical and concerned over health safety.

A masked Zama Malinga of GATA.

“As much as people were publicly informed that face masks are no longer mandatory, we don’t think it was a good time to cancel them especially now that it’s flu season. It would have been better if we had stopped wearing them during summer.

“If it were up to us, we would advise commuters to keep them on while inside the taxi,” he said.

He said it’s even a bigger problem now in winter because windows are forever kept closed by commuters.

“You can’t ask or compel commuters to keep wearing their face masks, especially now that it has been announced that they’re no longer mandatory. I guess it will be up to commuters to protect themselves during this time because you can’t easily tell if someone is ill,” Malinga said.

As drivers, Malinga also said they will continue to wear face masks to protect themselves.

Commuter Ntombi Chauke told the Alberton Record that it is advisable for commuters to keep their face masks on and only take them off once they reach their destination.

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