Corona virus: Thai taxi drivers to wear masks and carry alcohol gel

[webfact]

Corona virus: Thai taxi drivers to wear masks and carry alcohol gel

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A leading Thai physician has told drivers of taxis and buses who deal with a lot of Chinese people to be particularly careful in taking preventative measures regarding the coronavirus. 

 

Daily News said the Facebook comments of Dr Yong Phuworawan - a leading medical specialist at Chulalongkorn University - came after 305 deaths were reported among 14,640 cases in 27 countries. 

 

There have been 19 cases in Thailand - 11 are in hospital and 8 have been sent home. 

 

Mor Yong or Dr Yong said that taxi drivers and bus operators could be at risk. They should wear strap on surgical masks not N95 ones that would be too cumbersome. 

 

The infection could be passed on by people in close proximity coughing or by handling money given to them by infected passengers who coughed into their hands. 

 

He advised frequent hand washing for drivers. 

 

While accepting that it was impractical to stop to do this, they should carry alcohol gels in their vehicles to wash their hands after each passenger had exited. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-02-03

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[webfact]

Land transport department offers free physical check-up for taxi drivers

By THE NATION

 

 

The Department of Land Transport is offering free physical check-up service for taxi drivers on February 12-13 at the department’s head office in Chatuchak district, Bangkok.

 

“This project aims to increase awareness in the control and prevention of communicable respiratory diseases as well as promote health among taxi drivers,” director-general Jirut Wisanjit said. “The physical check-up will include general physical exam, lung x-ray, eye exam, and influenza vaccine injection.”

 

“During the coronavirus outbreak, it is strongly recommended that all taxi drivers wear protective face masks when driving and interacting with passengers, both Thais and foreigners,” said Jirut.

 

 

Jirut said that after the check-up, the department will issue a doctor’s certificate so that taxi drivers can display in their vehicle to assure customers that the driver is clean and healthy. “You can also use this certificate when renewing driving licence for public vehicles,” he added.

 

The director-general further added that in 2020, the Department of Land Transport aims to provide physical check-up service to drivers of public vehicles in Bangkok and its perimeter areas at various locations such as Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Raj Pracha Samasai Institute, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, TOT Academy, and more.

 

“Interested persons can check the schedule and locations of future service at DLT hotline 1584,” he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30381478?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-02-03

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[Sunderland]

Nice ideas, but hopelessly out of touch with how the virus spreads. How can you know anyone is virus free in a city of 10 million+ people? A sticker on a car does not mean much.

[DrTuner]

Private car FTW. I'd rather be stuck in a traffic jam in my own vehicle then in a petri dish.

[Geoffggi]

Basically a good idea, but this cert should have a photo, be dated and renewed say every three or four weeks as people in this type of profession are very much at risk and do help keep the flow of people around each and every city.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Corona virus: Thai taxi drivers to wear masks and carry alcohol gel

Oh no, they're gonna eat it...

[Scott Tracy]

Strap on surgical masks don't stop viruses.

How about surgical gloves, instead of alcohol gels?

He 'recognises it's not practical to stop to frequently wash hands '.... If you're at risk, would you not stop at every petrol station, KFC or any other place there are facilities?

 

[Krataiboy]

A better idea would be a lie detector test before issuing a taxi licence.