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27
Apr 2021
Ripon taxi driver 'dumbfounded' by lack of mask-wearing in cabs
A taxi driver from Ripon has pleaded with customers to wear facemasks and protect drivers from covid as too many passengers are ignoring the rules.
Richard Fieldman, who has been a cabbie in Ripon for 28 years, said the last 12 months had been "absolutely horrendous" for the trade.
After not working since New Year's Eve, the owner of A1 Cars recently began taking passengers again.
However, he told the Stray Ferret he's been disappointed by the number of people who either don't get in his taxi with a mask, or don't wear one properly.
Taxi passengers must wear face coverings unless they have an exemption.
Mr Fieldman said:
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Mr Fieldman said he was "dumbfounded" by customers claiming they forgot their masks, adding that he believed many people didn't think being in a taxi posed the same risk as being in a shop.
He estimated that seven out of 10 passengers wore masks, and the large minority that didn't included many older people. He said:
He added:
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