Covid-19: Mayor Makhubo inspects safety measures at taxi rank
Walk-through sanitisers are being piloted at the Bara Taxi Rank in Soweto.
City of Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo and Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo conducted an oversight visit of a taxi rank to see what safety measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The visit, which took place on 11 May, began at the Bara Taxi Rank in Soweto, where new walk-through sanitisers are being tested. Makhubo said that there are currently two tunnels which spray people with sanitiser as they walk through them. However, he said that there is no fencing on one side of the taxi rank, which means people aren’t forced to walk through the tunnel. This is one of the things the City will work on.
“I’m very happy to see everyone wearing a mask, social distancing is still an issue and the sanitising is being done so there is a lot to do in May.”
Makhubo added, “Because this is a very mobile virus, it will move with transport and transport hubs become an important source for its spread. Today [11 May], we are ensuring we do everything possible as a government to contain the spread, to ensure social distancing and sanitisation and people are wearing masks.”
#WeServeJoburg Last night the Bara Taxi Rank was cleaned and sanitised in preparation for today's implementation of the sanitization tunnels, which will help in curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the area ^GZ pic.twitter.com/TNUUYb219Z
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) May 11, 2020
A brief demonstration by Scientology Volunteer Ministers on how minibus taxis are sanitized at taxi ranks.#WeseverJoburg #SaferJoburg #Lockdownlevel4 #Johustleburg@CityofJoburgZA @CoJPublicSafety @JacobMamaboloSA @GeoffMakhubo @MMCMallyMokoena pic.twitter.com/TZnSW9lwR9
— Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) May 11, 2020
The MEC and mayor also paid a visit to the Dobsonville Putco Depot to ensure that commuters and staff are safe when making use of public transportation. The fleet of 1 300 will be operating at 50 per cent capacity. Upon entering the bus, each of the commuters will be sanitised and seats have been cordoned off to allow for social distancing.
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