Taxi drivers should only be considered as COVID-19 ’Critical Workers’ on case-by-case basis says DfT

The Department for Transport has reiterated taxi drivers should only be considered as ’Critical Workers’ during the COVID-19 pandemic on a case-by-case basis.

Last month, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed taxi and private hire drivers CAN continue working during the current COVID-19 government isolation measures, but clearer examples have since been released.

A DfT spokesperson yesterday confirmed case-by-case examples includes school runs and the transportation of ‘extremely vulnerable’ people.

Before parliamentary recess, Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, asked the Secretary of State for Transport, whether licensed London taxi drivers and other taxi and private hire drivers are classified as key workers for the purposes of government guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachel Maclean, Conservative MP Redditch and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), responded yesterday saying: “Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered Critical Workers.

“Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of ‘extremely vulnerable’ people may be considered Critical Workers on a case-by-case basis.

“Critical Workers should also whenever possible make suitable arrangements for their children to stay at home; requests for children to attend school should be discussed with the school.”

Image credit: Ross Campbell