Those who are still commuting to work are likely noticing that there are not many cars out on the roads, nor are the taxis as busy as they would usually be, pre-pandemic. With hardly anyone going anywhere these days in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19, there are far fewer people in need of a ride from a taxi.

A.M.I.R. Taxi and Delivery Service announced yesterday modified hours from their usual 24/7 availability, as well as a closure beginning Monday, March 30th.

Owner and Operator Alex Groissman said business has been slow anyway, which is a good thing, because it means people are staying home.

“People do not use the service right now, and that's good,” he said. “I mean, I appreciate them staying home, but from my vision, it's more dangerous to use taxi than not.”

He said trying to keep up with the strict government regulations on social distancing and disinfecting surfaces presented a few particular challenges.

“We tried to keep a distance,” explained Groissman. “But these vehicles are not equipped for a full two-metre distance.”

He said this was an issue for the people most likely to use their services during this crisis, senior citizens. Since they aren't as likely to be able to crawl to the last rear bench to maintain further distance, they must sit closer, at a distance of only three feet between the driver and passenger.

“So it's kind of a danger because you never know what that person has, and if you get infected and don't know that, you spread to another customer,” he shared. “So we try to disinfect vehicles, but it doesn't really help, because after every passenger, vehicles are supposed to be disinfected fully, plus the driver, so it's impossible right now.”

Groissman said he's also concerned for the safety of his drivers and their families, along with his own family. also because the drivers worry about themselves and their own families. 

“We did our best,” he noted. “I really like this community, I like to serve this community, but I really avoid contact with people right now, because we don't know what can happen. I can not push anybody to come to work.”

“We'll stop the service until further notice, and, whenever it's possible, I hope it's soon, we will be reopen for service,” he said.

He thanked the community for supporting his business, apologized for the inconvenience closure may cause anyone, but for the safety of his drivers and the community, it's what's best for now.