ComfortDelGro taxi drivers will soon get plastic shields in their cabs to protect them while they ferry passengers around daily.
The taxi company announced today (20 May) that it will install them in 400 taxis as a trial. Starting from now, about 50 taxis will be fitted with the plastic shields every week.
Called the V-shield, they are locally manufactured and trademarked by Moove Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Corporation.
The shields measure 1m x 0.7m x 0.6m, and cover the driver’s cabin entirely except for two windows for collecting payment. They will not obstruct airflow to the rest of the vehicle.
They are also made of an unbreakable material, which enables them to serve as an added protection against any violent physical harm.
Said ComfortDelGro Taxi CEO Ang Wei Neng, “Our cabbies are exposed to passengers throughout the day and night. While our drivers take as much precaution as they can by wearing masks and constantly disinfecting their cabs, there is still a risk. These shields will further reduce that level of risk as it serves as an added layer of protection for the cabbies.”
This comes just after the Government confirmed that the circuit breaker will be lifted on 1 June with some limitations, and people in a few sectors will start returning to work.
If the shields prove to be effective in minimising the contact between drivers and passengers, they will then be extended to more taxis.
Featured Image Credit: ComfortDelGro