Cab Drivers Face the Ultimate “Pick‑Up or Drop‑Away” Dilemma
Since the first COVID‑19 case rolled into Singapore back on January 23, Alan Tay, a 55‑year‑old cabbie, has been on a cleaning mission. He swipes his car windows shut, “airs” the cabin, and wipes his hands after every fare.
He’s skipped the mask, citing the government’s advice that “well people can ride safely.” But when the Health Ministry announced on February 8 that a taxi driver and a private hire driver were among the seven new infected cases, Alan started questioning the whole gig.
“Should I Keep Driving or Quit?”
“Should we wear masks when we’re out on the curb?” he asked. “Will we ever get a proper supply of them?” Alan wants clarity before his next shift.
Other Cabbies Are Feeling the Heat (and the Numbers)
Rumors of infection have sent some drivers into a panic. Earnings have plummeted because people are less likely to grab a taxi, especially in the city’s busy core.
Many have doubled down on disinfecting their cars; others are staying away from hospitals entirely, sparing themselves any chance to pick up patients.
The Ministry’s Take
The Health Ministry says that it is still “safe” to use taxis and hails. They’re pushing for drivers to keep cleaning and freshening the air by closing windows after trips.
For example, Lian Yau Chun, 67, now limits chatting with passengers and will wear a mask when he’s at the airport. He thinks the business is down by roughly 30% now that fewer folks are in the streets.
Patients Struggle to Find a Ride
Ms. Gan, 25, who works at Singapore General Hospital, had two drivers cancel on her because they wrongly assumed she was from China. The second driver even texted her asking if she was from China, and then crossed herself out.
She said it was “no big deal at first,” but she ended up being late for her appointment. “I just brushed it off,” she mused.
Relay of the “Forced” Drives
Tan Chew Ming, 30, cleans his car every two hours, puts on a mask, and feels pressured to keep working because of his paycheck. Supplies of disinfectant and masks are running low.
“It’s getting harder to keep up,” he says. “I have no choice; I need to feed my family.”
With people asking him to quit but his stomach not caring, Tan is stuck on the road.
We’ll keep you posted on the latest COVID updates. This article was originally from the Straits Times. Thank you for reading.
