The government’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre said in a statement yesterday that yellow Health Code holders can take a taxi provided that they follow the government’s guidelines to ensure the safety of the taxi driver and reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19.
The statement said yellow code holders should let the taxi driver know when getting in the cab. However, people with a fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, decreased sense of smell and taste, diarrhoea or other COVID-19 symptoms should avoid taking any public transport, including taxis.
The statement reminded all taxi passengers to wear their facemask at all times and avoid touching any objects inside the taxi, as well as using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser often and contactless payment methods whenever possible.
The statement said passengers should also scan the venue QR code in the taxi. If the taxi does not have one, the passenger should make a note of the date and time, destination of the trip and the taxi’s registration number.
According to the statement, the cabbie should also wear a facemask at all times and keep the windows open so that the taxi is well ventilated. The taxi driver should also install a venue QR code and encourage passengers to record their itinerary by using the Macau Health Code.
The statement said after transporting a passenger with a yellow code, the taxi driver should disinfect the passenger seats and frequently-touched surfaces, such as door handles and arm rests. The driver should wash his or her hands frequently with water and liquid soap or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, replace his or her facemask frequently, and perform hand hygiene before touching his or her eyes, nose and mouth.
The statement urged the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible and exercise self-health monitoring; if a person comes down with a fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, decreased sense of smell or taste, diarrhoea or other COVID-19 symptoms, he or she should wear a facemask and seek medical attention promptly.
