The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, together with Royal Dutch Transport, RIVM and Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, has drawn up two protocols for responsible taxi and healthcare transport during the corona crisis. In the meantime, these protocols have been shared on the Municipal Network for Mobility and Infrastructure because municipalities mainly have a role in supervising compliance with the protocol for regular taxi and healthcare transport.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen writes the following about the consequences of the corona crisis for taxi transport. Femke Wouters quotes on the website of the GNMI the letter from the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management.

“Because transport availability may be essential during this period, healthcare and taxi transport currently fulfill an important function. As with public transport, the starting point is that a taxi is only used if there is no other option. ” 

“The health of both the driver and the traveler is paramount. It is therefore important that both travelers and taxi entrepreneurs follow RIVM's advice regarding hygiene and personal distance. In line with these basic principles, a taxi only transports a passenger if there is a distance of at least 1,5 meters between driver and passenger, or if there is a closed partition between driver and passenger. ” 

“In addition, it is advisable to transport a maximum of one passenger at a time, unless they are persons from the same household. In consultation with Royal Dutch Transport, RIVM and Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, two additional protocols have been drawn up for responsible taxi and healthcare transport. One protocol that can be used for regular taxi and healthcare transport, but also a protocol with very specific guidelines that apply to the transport of persons with (the suspected) COVID-19 virus. ”

Also read: RIVM comes with a clear protocol for healthcare and taxi transport