National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has stated certain taxi services will be allowed to operate in the Greater Male’ Region during the first phase of easing restrictions, with special precautions in place.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Dr. Nazla Rafeeq from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of NEOC said taxis must make special arrangements in order to be granted special permission to operate during the first phase of easing restrictions. In this regard, she said the driver and passengers must wear face masks, while passengers can only be allowed in the back seat. She also noted a partition will be mandated between the driver’s seat and the back seat in the future.
Furthermore, Dr. Nazla revealed taxis will not be allowed to pick up passengers from the road, noting the trip has to be booked from a taxi centre or a taxi app. Taxis are not allowed to merge two trips together and must keep a passenger log. The option for online payment must be made available in every taxi.
Dr. Nazla said the plan is to allow all taxis to operate after the first two weeks of easing restrictions. However, she said taxis will still be required to follow these measures even in subsequent phases of easing restrictions.