Gloucester City Council has issued stickers to taxi drivers to wear face coverings while travelling in their vehicles.

The stickers have been distributed to Hackney carriage and private hire drivers throughout the city to display on two windows of their vehicles.

Drivers are being kept up to date via text messages on the latest government guidance about how to keep themselves and their passengers safe.

The council is advising drivers they can refuse to take a passenger if they are not wearing a face covering and are not exempt.

Councillor Dawn Melvin, cabinet member for economic recovery and growth, said: "We are doing all we can to help the city's Hackney carriage and private hire drivers keep themselves and their passengers safe.

"They provide an important service for many people and we want to ensure that they keep providing that service as safely as they possibly can."

Guidelines encourage drivers to ask passengers if they have coronavirus symptoms or have had a positive test in the last 10 days and should refuse to take any that have.

Other important advice includes washing hands before and after contact with a passenger or their luggage.

While passengers must wear a face covering, drivers do not have to although it is recommended unless it affects their ability to drive safely.

Windows should also be open when carrying passengers and the vehicle should be cleaned where passengers have touched before taking the next fare.