Taxi drivers struggling during coronavirus crisis

Keeping taxis safe from the coronavirus.

Is considered 'essential'....is the taxi cab business.

They too are open for business...but just like many restaurants and other small businesses....they are struggling.

And now...there are some cabs that have 'thermometers'.

Here's news channel two's gary.

((take pkg)) (nat of door closing) ace taxi has been around for a long time in utica....and...it's been a good ride... tc : 44:36 "the last couple weeks, things have changed...."

Owner joe khoury says it's hard to make a living right now...for not only his like cabbies...but cabbies all across the country.... tc : 44:44 "what they're basically afraid of is this pandemic thats going around..."

Khoury says tc : 49:18 "its understandable, its understandable."

That people are concerned to be inside an enclosed vehicle with another person....because that other person may not show symptoms of corona- virus...but could unknowingly have it.

And ...that trepidation goes both ways....for the the rider...and the driver.

(joe khoury, owner of ace tax in utica) .

None .

None tc : 46:0?

"were all in this together and i urge everyone please if you are sick do not call the taxi, we are going to ask you when you call her for a ride, were going to ask you if you are not well because we will not take you thats just plain and simple."

Khoury says some people have no other choice but to call a cab...and those are pretty much the ((only(( people who are calling up for a ride these days... tc : 48:00 "theres a lot of people that depend on us that need to go places and see their doctors, physicians, pick up their medication, and also grocery shopping...laugh..."

Khoury says he's down from 9 cars down to 3- or-4...and...all of his drivers not only drive....but they do plenty of cleaning... tc : 48:28 "every time a person leaves our car we will pull over sanitize the inner and outer door handles also wipe down the vehicle on the inside so that the next fair that comes in they are protected in there safe."

And finally...like we've seen in places like china...thermome ters are now being used by cabbies... tc : 52:00 "so this laser temperature will help will identify anyone that is sick or has a fever and if you do youre not riding with us i will tell you to get to a position call your doctor whatever."

These too now are a sign of the times.

Gary liberatore, news channel 2.> time now for a first look