Free masks to be issued at taxi rank

People queueing for and using taxis at the Weighbridge taxi rank will be issued with free disposable masks before their journey to reinforce new guidance on wearing masks in enclosed spaces. 

Marshals will be at the Weighbridge taxi rank from 9.30pm on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, and Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November handing out the masks for people to use while they wait in the taxi queue, and when they get into a taxi. 

The Weighbridge taxi rank has been chosen because it is often used by Islanders returning from a night out in town, and who might forget to maintain physical distance.  

The new mask policy will help protect taxi drivers who service the night-time economy and who provide regular transport for high-risk and vulnerable Islanders who do not have access to their own transport.  

Once the taxi journey is over, passengers should safely dispose of their mask by:

Dr Ivan Muscat, Deputy Medical Officer of Heath, said: “This is the first weekend since we strengthened the recommendation to wear masks in enclosed public spaces where physical distancing and contact tracing is difficult. 

“We are aware that the Halloween weekend can be busy for the night-time economy, and that people are likely to be more relaxed as the evening wears on and be less aware of maintaining physical distance. 

“Wearing masks in these areas will minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the community as they reduce the spread of the droplets emitted when breathing, talking, coughing and sneezing, which is the main way that this virus is transmitted.”