The Western Cape’s Department of Transport and Public Works has initiated the “Red Dot” taxi service, which will provide transport to vaccination sites for those who are unable to travel by themselves, including those who cannot afford or do not have access to public transport.
According to the department, vaccine services were initially limited to healthcare workers and the elderly in rural areas. However, now with the Red Dot taxi service being made available, those eligible can be vaccinated in all areas of the province.
Transport and Public Works MEC, Daylin Mitchell says the Red Dot taxi service was initiated in response to the COVID-19 Strategy of the Western Cape’s Department of Health to specifically respond to the transport gaps which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The Provincial Department of Health identifies those in need of transport through its on-the-ground local community liaison officers and they are then transported by Red Dot Taxi through the Department of Transport and Public Works. The Department of Health prioritises the elderly and those with special needs.”
Mitchell added that the Red Dot Taxi fleet is also split between its different service components, including the vaccine service for eligibile individuals, the transport of people to Quarantine & Isolation facilities, the transport of discharged hospital patients, and the regular transport of healthcare workers to and from the Brackengate COVID-19 field hospital.
Meanwhile, people 18 years and older will now be eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccinations from Friday, August 20, as the national government looks to increase the vaccination rollout programme.
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Picture: Twitter/@mec_mitchell