Govt. Approves Taxi Firms' Anti - Virus Measures
Japan's transport ministry has approved a measure allowing some taxi operators to reject passengers who refuse to wear face masks without proper reasons.
Ten taxi operators, including a major taxi company in Tokyo, had asked the ministry to review their rules. Taxi drivers are essentially banned from refusing passengers except under some circumstances.
Drivers worried about the possible spread of infection were behind the move. They say some drunken passengers speak aloud inside their cabs without wearing masks.
The ministry says the measure does not allow drivers to flatly deny passengers without masks. It says the measure is aimed at urging passengers to wear masks.
It says the measure would result in protecting not only taxi drivers but also the next passengers.
Other taxi operators and public transport systems may follow the move.
