1.3-Pyeong Taxi Interior 'Corona Fear'... Drivers and Passengers Are Both Afraid

Virus Confirmed Cases of 5 Drivers Revealed, Leading to Sharp Decline in Users
Breathing Shared Air in Confined Spaces
Concerns Over Transmission via Droplets on Seats and Handles
No Confirmed Cases Through Taxis, but Disinfection Responsibility Falls on Drivers

On the 10th, amid ongoing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, taxis lined up waiting for passengers at the taxi stand in front of the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Drivers fear passengers, and passengers fear drivers. Inside a taxi, sharing a space of about 4.29㎡ (approximately 1.3 pyeong), there is a prevailing fear that an invisible virus might be lingering somewhere between the driver and the passenger. Due to the fear of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the use of taxis, known as the "citizens' feet," has sharply declined. Because of the confined space, the risk of transmission is high, but the responsibility for safety inside taxis is being left solely to the drivers.

According to Seoul City on the 11th, the average taxi income on weekdays during the second week of February (February 3?7) decreased by about 9?10% compared to the third week of January (January 13?17), before confirmed cases appeared. On weekends, the decline rate increases up to 15%. During the same period, the number of operating taxis decreased by 2?3%. Some local governments, including Pohang, have also reported a 15?35% decrease in taxi passengers.

In a taxi, where dozens of people get on and off daily and the driver and passengers share the same air for a considerable time in a confined space, many surfaces such as vehicle seats, door handles, and windows are frequently touched by multiple people. According to data released by health authorities, confirmed cases number 2, 4, 12, 17, and 27 used taxis for transportation before being isolated and treated.

In particular, there is a high concern about infection through droplets (saliva droplets released when sneezing or coughing), which are considered a major transmission route of the novel coronavirus. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "If an infected person rides in a taxi, the virus may be present in the air through coughing or sneezing in the narrow and enclosed space of the taxi," adding, "Especially since many people frequently open and close door handles, attention should be paid to infections caused by such contact."

There have been no confirmed cases of infection through taxis in Korea yet. However, taxi drivers take the wheel with fear. In countries like Thailand and Singapore, after secondary infections centered around taxi drivers, many confirmed cases occurred. Taxi driver Lee (63) said, "I work more than 12 hours a day and meet many passengers, so it is natural to worry about the novel coronavirus," adding, "Wearing a mask for a long time while driving is uncomfortable and affects driving. But if I take off the mask, passengers seem to give me harsh looks, which is distressing."

Some local governments provide masks or hand sanitizers to taxi drivers, but in reality, taxi disinfection is left to the drivers themselves. Lim Bong-gyun, Organization Director of the National Taxi Labor Union Federation, said, "Even the supplies provided by some business owners or local governments are insufficient," adding, "The country is in an uproar, but it is problematic that the cleanest place, the taxi, is left for drivers to handle on their own."

In this reality, experts agree that ultimately safety must be managed by both drivers and passengers themselves. Professor Cheon said, "There is research showing that the virus can survive up to 9 days on plastic materials," adding, "Passengers need to wear masks inside taxis and disinfect frequently touched areas with personal hand sanitizers to cope with infection."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.