300 taxi operators train for the new normal
The Taxi Operators Association in collaboration with the Department of Health has held training sessions over the past weekend to prepare its members for the re-opening of the airport on August 1st. The trainings aimed to equip those taxi drivers with the necessary knowhow to be able to keep themselves and their clients safe from COVID-19.The Association’s Chairman Mr. Frank Kilindo said the training was done in two sessions last Saturday on Mahe with the participation of 240 taxi operators. The next session was held on Sunday on Praslin Island where 60 more drivers were trained. Prior to that; ten members of the association followed a trainer course at the Seychelles Hospital so that they could assist the health personnel in training others. Frank Kilindo said the sessions went very well and that this exercise is important for the drivers.
“We have some 500 drivers who are registered with the association and right now in the first stage we have managed to get 300 to participate in the training. It is very important for us because, very soon there will be a new regulation coming from Seychelles Land Transport Authority which will redefine our mode of operations in this new normal. Part of this is the fact that it will be mandatory for taxi drivers to wear a mask, while offering their services. We will also have to maintain a register of passengers, with their details and also details of where they embarked into our vehicles and place of disembarkation. Therefore this training is very important.”Kilindo added that the training will help the taxi operators in being able to get access to clients from hotels and the tourism industry even if they know that realistically, there will not be that much movement in that sector straight away. The association chairman said that they will continue to sensitise other operators to follow the training, because simply put, unless they do so they will not be able to operate as a taxi driver in the new normal.
“I think that some of them were not aware of the ongoing training. Weused mostly our WhatsApp group to inform members and also we put out radio announcements. Not everyone uses such technology, but I am sure as they get informed they will register for the other training sessions which we intend to hold. There is a sub-committee headed by Brian Ernesta and Mervyn Camille and they are compiling the list of those who want to participate in the next round of training, so I would advise those who haven’t to get in touch with them andregister. It is for our own good. Many drivers find themselves with the bare minimum financial assistance from the government, so this training will open up avenues for us to be able to tap into the tourism market when it re-opens, so it is in our best interest to participate”The training included how to potentially detect a possible COVID-19 infected patient and what to do next, the importance and techniques of hand sanitization and hand wash, how to decontaminate a vehicle, how to ensure personal and passenger safety and the wearing of masks amongst other aspects. The training will also provide the taxi operators with a higher level of discipline to what they are normally accustomed.
