Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Help to Ensure Safety of Point-To-Point Drivers Who Ferry Passengers from Airports and Other Border Points Given Increased Vaccinated Travel Lanes

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Transport with the increasing number of Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) being opened, what measures would be taken to help ensure point-to-point (P2P) drivers who pick passengers up from the airports and other border points are adequately protected from COVID-19 and its variants.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020, LTA has issued advisories to taxi and private hire car (PHC) drivers on measures that drivers can take to protect themselves from COVID-19. For example, they can improve ventilation by not using the recirculation mode of the vehicles’ air-conditioning system and winding down windows. Passengers are also advised to sit at the back, diagonally from the drivers where possible.

2.     The Ministry of Health has assessed that the current measures remain sufficient to minimise the risk of in-vehicle transmission of COVID-19 and its variants. At this juncture, there is no need for extra precautionary measures, such as having drivers put on full personal protective equipment. Furthermore, more than 99% of active taxi and PHC drivers are fully vaccinated.

3.     We urge all taxi and PHC drivers to continue to take the necessary precautions and to adhere to LTA’s advisories. Those who are not vaccinated should do so if medically eligible, and those who are eligible for booster shots should also take them quickly.