Omsk taxi driver tackles coronavirus in full protective gear and gas mask

Andrey, a young taxi driver from Omsk in Western Siberia, said wearing the army protective kit was his way to ‘fight coronavirus hysteria’. 

‘All my clients laughed as soon as they saw me. I was nervous of people’s reaction but most laugh when they see me,’ he said.

‘People usually get into cars with tired or weary faces, most of them are into their phones’, said Andrey who has worked as a cabbie for four years. 

‘I put my gas mask on and ask them if they came from China, making people laugh. This is why I started it all, to amuse people and to get myself a bit entertained, too.’

Andrey says that despite seeing the road clearly with the mask on he takes it off after first 10 metres to ensure the safety of the drive. 

Most of his passengers left him extra tips after the rides, he said. 

The usual price of a taxi drive in Omsk is 150-250 roubles, or ($2.30/4USD).