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HomeTLD News and UpdatesREMINDER OF HEALTH SAFETY MEASURES CONCERNING FOR-HIRE VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION

REMINDER OF HEALTH SAFETY MEASURES CONCERNING FOR-HIRE VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION

Notice to All Taxicab, Limousine and Transportation Network Company Industry Members, Owners and Drivers:

As you are aware, on March 6, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed the existence of a disaster emergency throughout the Commonwealth concerning the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  On March 19, 2020, Gov. Wolf issued an Order (“Order”) concerning the closure of all business that are not life sustaining, which also included a list of those businesses that are life sustaining and may continue with operations.[1]  Taxicabs, limousines and other ground transportation of passengers are deemed life sustaining businesses.

The Order directed operational life sustaining businesses that they “must follow, at a minimum, measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) to protect workers and patrons.”  The CDC issued guidelines specific for taxicabs, limousines, rideshare (transportation network companies “TNCs”) and other passenger drivers-for-hire.[2]  Additionally, on April 15, 2020, Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Health, also issued an Order directing public safety measures for businesses permitted to maintain operations.[3]

Therefore, this is a REMINDER that all owners of taxicabs, limousines, TNCs and all drivers of those services operating in Philadelphia shall be adhering to the following, at minimum, when providing service:

  1. Stay at home if you are sick;

  2. Drivers must wear a face mask while providing service;

  3. Avoid pooled rides and tell passengers to sit in the back seat;

  4. Clean and disinfect the vehicle; at a minimum, clean and disinfect frequently touched services in the vehicle at the beginning and end of each shift and between transporting passengers;

  5. Ask passengers to wear a mask; and

  6. Practice frequent personal hygiene to clean your hands as much as possible and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

There are current laws and regulations that govern the requirements of drivers and vehicles concerning cleanliness.[4]  Failure to follow and adhere to Gov. Wolf’s Order along with Dr. Levine’s Order may result in the issuance of a penalty and possibly being placed out of service.  The TLD will also investigate any complaint it receives concerning a failure to follow these requirements.

If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact the Taxicab and Limousine Division at [email protected].  Thank you.

Christine A. Kirlin, Esq.
Director
Taxicab and Limousine Division
Philadelphia Parking Authority

[1] See https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200319-TWW-COVID-19-business-closure-order.pdf.

[2] See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/rideshare-drivers-for-hire.html.

[3] See https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200415-SOH-worker-safety-order.pdf. 

[4] See 53 Pa.C.S. 57A16 (m) (relating to operating regulations); 53 Pa.C.S.  57B01 (c)(7) (relating to regulation of taxicabs and limousines).  See also 52 Pa. Code §§ 1017.5 (b)(11) (relating to basic vehicle standards), 1021.11 (b) (relating to driver requirements), 1055.4 (b)(8) (relating to basic vehicle standards) and 1057.10 (d) (relating to driver requirements).