“What you should be worried about, rather, is at the airport. Make sure that in the airport, in the queues, you maintain a physical distance and you are wearing your mask and you are washing your hands,” Gray said.
The move to the government's alert level 3 came with the reintroduction of local flights for business use.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula announced that aeroplanes would operate at full capacity because the Hepa (high-efficiency particulate air) filter made it a safer environment for passengers. The wearing of masks is mandatory on flights.
However, taxis have been ordered to only operate at 70% capacity - a measure that has left the industry up in arms due to a loss of income.
“I would rather travel in an aeroplane than in a taxi. It is probably safer,” said Gray. “What is more important, I am more worried about taxis than aeroplanes and I do want us to try to get the taxis to keep their windows open, even though it is cold. People must just wear more jerseys and blankets in the taxis. It is very important,” said Gray.
The taxi industry has also rejected the government’s offer of a relief fund worth just over R1.1bn - which amounts to R5,000 per registered taxi - saying that it was not enough.