In Parliament
Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Income Assurance for Taxi or Private-Hire Drivers Infected with COVID-19 during Course of Ferrying Frontline Workers
5 July 2021
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Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry can provide some level of income assurance should taxi or private-hire vehicle drivers get infected with COVID-19 during their course of ferrying frontline workers so as to cover their loss of income during their recovery and quarantine period.
Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:
1. Taxi and private hire car (PHC) drivers are frontline workers who play an important role in ferrying essential workers and Singaporeans every day. Our first priority is to protect them in the course of duty. This is why taxi and PHC drivers who depend on driving for their livelihoods were prioritised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
2. In addition, drivers do receive support if they are quarantined or contract COVID-19 in the course of duty. Drivers who have been served Quarantine Orders can apply for a $100 per day allowance under the Quarantine Order Allowance Scheme, which is administered by the Ministry of Health. The National Taxi Association (NTA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), and the operators have also been providing additional rental waivers and allowances to their drivers who were tested positive for COVID-19. Drivers who contracted COVID-19 while serving in situations of heightened COVID-19 risk are also eligible for a one-time relief of $3,000 through The Courage Fund, which is administered by the National Council of Social Service.
3. In recognition of the reduced ridership levels, the Government has been providing active taxi and PHC drivers with COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF) payouts to sustain their livelihoods as they continue to serve commuters. This includes the recent extension of the CDRF to September 2021.
4. Taxi and PHC operators have also reminded their drivers to take additional precautions to protect their health and safety. These include stepping up the cleaning and disinfection of their vehicles, not using the recirculation mode of their vehicle’s air-conditioning system, and to wind down their windows after every trip to improve ventilation within their vehicles.