27/03/2020
**URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT**
**Taxi - Private Hire Trade in Burnley temporarily suspend service due to Coronavirus Covid 19 Pandemic**
Usman Arif, on behalf of the trade..
Following detailed discussions and consideration of the guidance from the government and the local authority for private hire trade, the licensed operators in Burnley have been forced to make a very tough decision.
In the best interest of the general public and private hire drivers, the trade have come to a collective decision to cease their services as of 6PM today (27.03.2020) until further notice. The situation will be assessed in line with government guidelines and business will collectively reconvene when it is safe to do so.
Public safety is priority. The public will be much safer using their own vehicles or getting a lift off a friend or a family member. There is of course the community hub which will be providing vital services to those most in need.
There are a number of reasons why continuing the trade would potentially spread the killer virus much faster than normal. We have listed below just a few of the possibilities.
* The trade handles cash which is one of the major ways of transmitting this virus
* It’s not practically possible to maintain the government recommended two meter social distancing within an enclosed proximity of a vehicle
* It’s not practically possible to properly sanitise every vehicle internally and externally after each journey before picking up the next customer
* If a driver becomes a carrier of the virus unknowingly and is not showing any symptoms he/she will transmit the virus potentially to dozens of passengers every day without knowing
* The same driver will transmit the virus to their own family members when he returns from work which potentially puts children and elderly family members at huge risk
* There are a huge number of key workers in particular those working for the NHS and care services who could pick up the virus from using taxis and Private Hire vehicles. They could potentially pass the virus to vulnerable people that they or treating and their own family members
The Trade appreciate that this will cause a huge disruption to those that use them on a daily basis. There will be huge financial implications for the hundreds of drivers and operators across the borough however the public’s and driver’s safety is paramount during this Coronavirus Covid 19 Pandemic.
People’s lives are at risk, this is an extremely important issue and must be taken very seriously.
The trade would like to thank the people of Burnley for being understanding during this very difficult time.
Please look after your loved ones, we pray for everyone’s wellbeing and safety and hope to see you all on the other side in the very near future.
Please feel free to share to spread the word

Burnley Express
Lancashire Telegraph
