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Tokyo taxi drivers allowed to refuse passengers not wearing masks

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29 Comments
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At this stage, who in their right mind would ride in a taxi or any public transportation without a mask?

17 ( +19 / -2 )

Great! Let's hope none of the freedumb lovers are packing pepper spray.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

 I will make them sign a disclaimer that they will be liable if a medical condition arises.

What medical condition would arise if they refuse to let you board the vehicle?

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Excellent. No room for sympathy with covidiots in this day and age.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

So, will masks be provided by the taxi

companies for the benefit of passengers.

I guess you'll just have to ask the taxi companies to satisfy your intellectual curiosity

8 ( +9 / -1 )

This should apply on all forms of public transport as well. Good call this.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Convenience store workers should have same right to not allow maskless people in the store.

In my area there's now about a 75% maskless rate when you go in one.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

They should have done this a long time ago, the taxi drivers are mostly elderlies

7 ( +11 / -4 )

I personally know a taxi driver who had the virus, so yes I agree with this

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@i@n

I agree in general, but in vehicles where there could be separate sections like trains, some section/s could be for those who don't wanna wear/don't have masks.

They already have those "separate sections."

They're called stay in their own homes if they don't wanna wear masks.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

People talk a lot about the high level of mask-wearing compliance in Japan due to 'shame culture'. In my recent experience, I've seen one or two non-mask wearers in places where that REALLY shouldn't be an option - one time in a crowded hospital waiting room, the other in the post office.

In both cases, oyajis. One had his mask around his chin. Everyone around pretended not to notice, and kept their heads down, tried to keep their distace. No one working in the hospital or post office said anything.

I understand wanting to avoid confrontation, especially by the public, but I think employees need to speak up and politely ask non-wearers to put a mask on, show evidence of health issues that prevent it, or refuse service.

I welcome this move to protect taxi drivers and agree with those who feel this should apply to store workers too. Obviously, implementation is the issue as there's a real risk of violence if the non-wearer is mentally unstable or extremist.

Also agree with the comment on joggers. Who do they think they are jogging past walkers all wearing masks?! Your exercise shouldn't put others at risk.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

My reason is mask are bacterial health hazards and I have difficulties breathing underneath them.

With respect, a casual glance at your recent posting history, indicates there's more than just that reason.

I don't like masks either. But it's much more preferable than having to spend days or weeks in an ICU.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

in vehicles where there could be separate sections like trains, some section/s could be for those who don't wanna wear/don't have masks.

So one infected covidiot gets in the 'no mask' bit of the train, breathes all over the other freedumb-loving unmasked covidiots in there, they get off the train and wander around breathing virus everywhere.....

Nah, not a good idea.

If your breathing is so compromised that you cannot wear a mask, then you are one of the vulnerable ones and you shouldn't be out in public in the first place. Stay home, stay safe.

I wanna find out if it would result in significantly more infections.

And when it does (more or less guaranteed), you're going to be responsible for your little experiment?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well if you prefer that they mingle with you on the trains like they do now then no need to bother then

I prefer that people wear masks when they are in close proximity to others or on a confined space like a train carriage.

(I've been on a train just once since the covid thing started, last week in fact. I saw just one old geezer and a few tiny kids not wearing masks. Not much mingling.)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Taxi driving is one of the high risk occupations for catching the virus. They should not be out at extra risk.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well if you prefer that they mingle with you on the trains like they do now then no need to bother then

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If one is afraid to take taxi dont take one but same applies to every resturant as well. A mask alone will not protect you. You need a hazmat suit!!! Get it hazmat suit!!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I’ve been taking the train,centimeters away from people for OVER 6 months now for 100s of hours-not even a sniffle yet...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan's transport ministry on Wednesday allowed taxi drivers in Tokyo to refuse passengers who are not wearing face masks without a valid reason

Without a valid reason, of course there are some reason for exception but for foreigners there are certain businesses that will reject them without giving any reason at all. Even when those foreigners fluent talking in Japanese.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

They already have those "separate sections."

They're called stay in their own homes if they don't wanna wear masks.

I wanna find out if it would result in significantly more infections.

Also, i think that arrangement is more likely to be implemented than outright banning those who don't want to wear mask on trains

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

That is great!

But I am worried that some crazy mask deniers will start a fight with the taxi drivers.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

This should apply on all forms of public transport as well. Good call this.

I agree in general, but in vehicles where there could be separate sections like trains, some section/s could be for those who don't wanna wear/don't have masks.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

So, will masks be provided by the taxi

companies for the benefit of passengers.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

If wearing a mask is essential the Government should be handing them out to everyone for free. No one should be making profits of these mouth undergarments.

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

Who is using taxis... Lol what's a valid reason? My reason is mask are bacterial health hazards and I have difficulties breathing underneath them. I will make them sign a disclaimer that they will be liable if a medical condition arises.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

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