Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Taxi Federation takes concerns over carrying unvaccinated passengers to the government

By Emma Hatton of RNZ

Taxi drivers are angry they are being forced to carry unvaccinated passengers and have asked the government to urgently review the rules.

The New Zealand Taxi Federation wrote to the minister for Covid-19 response, the minister of health and the minister of transport earlier this month, explaining its members did not feel safe under the current settings.

"The Ministry of Health have failed to understand our concerns. The Ministry of Health have also failed to engage with the Small Passenger Service Industry. As a result of this, they have incorrectly categorised the service we provide by classing it as 'life-preserving'," Federation executive director Warren Quirke said.

"Being in a taxi is very conducive for becoming a super spreader. You have many people come and go in a confined space and social distancing is really difficult."

Under all settings in the traffic light system taxi services are prohibited from asking passengers for a vaccine pass. Face coverings are required under red and orange settings.

If the government would not change the settings, the small passenger service industry should be removed from the "transport" portion of the traffic light system, Quirke said.

"This would enable our member companies to form their own policies regarding vaccination requirements in line with their own risk assessments, health and safety compliance, and human rights requirements.

"It would also align us with the many other responsible businesses who have had the ability to implement their own policy to protect their people and customers."

Ten days after sending that letter, Quirke had still not received a response from the government.

The Ministry of Transport has its own policy which will not allow unvaccinated people on any of its premises.

"Seems quite ironic that they have the ability to put in that policy and we don't," Quirke said.

Drivers were happy to take passengers who had a legitimate exemption, but were not willing to be in close proximity to those who had made a personal choice not to be vaccinated, he added.

"We are being forced to provide a service to those that consciously refuse to protect themselves and others, willingly threatening the safety and wellbeing of our communities."

Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins has been approached for comment.