24 Mar 2020

Taxi operators in Kasane have heeded government advice and taken stringent measures to minimise risk of contracting and possible spreading of COVID-19.

Kasane Public Passenger Transport Association Acting Chairperson, Mr Gaoberekwe Tshepo said the association and members met last week to discuss implementable measures that could prevent the spread of the virus.

He said thereafter, the committee came up with measures that could minimise contracting and possible spreading of the coronavirus in the industry, stating that it was agreed that all taxi operators must wear gloves because they handle a lot of money. 

They are also to put on masks when transporting passengers because the mingle with different clients, some from neighbouring affected countries.

 Mr Tshepo further stated that all taxi operators must always have in their possession water mixed with liquid soap to wash customer’s hands and car door handles as well as to use hands sanitizers.

He said the measures had been shared through their Whatsapp group page for easier access to information.

Mr Tshepo indicated that passenger safety had always been their priority adding that the outbreak of the coronavirus was the biggest blow that had ever affected the industry in its lifetime. 

“The taxi industry in Kasane has boomed over the years due to the influx of domestic and international visitors but the outbreak of the disease poses a bleak future for the industry if it is not controlled immediately,” he said.

Kasane taxi industry is big business because taxis transport people as far as the Zimbabwean border, Ngoma border (to Namibia) and Kazungula ferry border to Zambia whilst at the same time offering specials to Kasane airport.

“The taxi industry cannot be spared as they provide transportation for tourists for game drive to western Zimbabwe, southern Zambia and northern Namibia, including the Caprivi Strip and Etosha National Park in Namibia,” he added.

He said the association would soon meet to take stock of its initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus. 

Mr Tshepo further stated that they had partnered with various government departments in an endeavour to fight the deadly virus. 

He called on all drivers to play their role in ensuring that safety measures were implemented and further appealed to taxi operators not to be ignorant of the disease.

Meanwhile, a snap interview with commuters revealed that the industry might collapse if taxi operators do not come up with measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

They advised that drivers should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and commuters.

Ms Neo Thobogano, a regular taxi commuter in Kasane said besides ensuring their own hand hygiene, taxi drivers should also ensure that passengers’ hands were sanitized before a trip or they should stop transporting people until the situation was normalized.

Ms Seepetswe Kepaletswe of Kavimba village and  Mr Joshua Mampole of Kazungula shared the same sentiments, saying it was for each industry to heighten efforts to prevent the outbreak of the virus in Botswana.

Ms Kepaletswe said people should opt to walk if the taxi industry was not protecting them. Ends