Hanover Strong’s free sanitisation drive targets taxis, private vehicles
Published:Tuesday | April 28, 2020 | 12:13 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Buoyed by the fact that Hanover remains the only parish without a case of COVID-19, the newly formed Hanover Strong kicked off a major sanitisation project on Sunday at the Lucea Transport Centre, targeting both private and public-passenger vehicles (PPVs).
Hanover Strong, which is made up of representatives from key organisations in the parish and political representatives, was established last week to have a structured, collaborative approach to fighting COVID-19 in the parish. It will focus on giving out care packages, sanitisation projects, masks distribution and assisting the elderly with medication.
On Sunday, motorists expressed appreciation for the sanitisation exercise at the Lucea Transport Centre.
“Cleanliness is godliness, and once we sanitise our vehicles, it will make a difference,” said taxi operator Wayne Fernandez. “It will help prevent the spread of the disease. It is the spreading we do not want. We want it (COVID-19) to be done with because we want to get back our lives together.”
With the social-distancing protocols introduced by the Government to contain the spread of the virus, taxi operators have been mandated to carry one fewer passenger per trip, which is cutting into their usual earnings. As as result, some cabbies were grateful that the sanitisation exercise was being carried out free of cost.
“Good idea! Me respect da idea yah, ’cause remember seh we deh carry people from all ’bout,” one taxi driver commented. “We nuh know who come in a di car and can have the virus, so dis a good thing.”
Hanover Strong and its team of volunteers will be conducting the sanitising exercise every Sunday at the Lucea Transport Centre.
Western Hanover Member of Parliament Ian Hayles, one of the point persons for the group which includes the Church, non-governmental organisations, charities and prominent residents, said that they will be going all out to keep the western parish COVID-19-free.