Glasgow's Taxi Owners' Association has confirmed more than one of Glasgow's cabbies has died due to COVID-19. 

The association urged fellow cabbies to "stay safe" after hearing several Glasgow taxi drivers were also ill with the virus. 

The Glasgow TOA Facebook page posted a statement: "We are in utter shock after hearing that there are several Glasgow cabbies very ill at the moment with the COVID-19 virus.

READ MORE: Thousands donated so Glasgow NHS workers get free taxi journeys to hospital

"Sadly, more than one has now passed away."

"Glasgow cabbies are a close-knit community and this is absolutely heartbreaking and frightening."

The Glasgow cabbies expressed condolences to the drivers' families. 

The statement continued: "We would like to send strength and best wishes to those trying to get well.

"To the drivers that have lost their lives, we are so very sorry and would like to pass on our thoughts and prayers to their loved ones.

"Please try to stay safe fellow cabbies."

The news comes a week after generous Glasgow taxi drivers organised a fundraiser to be able to provide free rides for NHS workers. 

Nearly £6000 has been raised in the Glasgow NHS Taxi Fund,  as Glasgow cabbies joined together to support frontline NHS staff. 

Fellow taxi drivers took the comments to express their condolences. 

One said: "Thoughts with those drivers trying to make a living."

READ MORE: Coronavirus: 13 deaths in care home linked to COVID-19

A driver from Dundee wrote: "Stay safe guys and my heart is broken for the drivers and their families who have passed."

Another individual expressed sympathies: "Massive condolences from an Edinburgh black cabs drivers family. Keep safe!"

Glasgow Taxis could not confirm the deaths or illness of individual cabbies. 

A spokesman for Glasgow Taxis Ltd, whose fleet amounts to around two-thirds of all black Hackneys in Glasgow, said: “Everyone at Glasgow Taxis will share the sadness and devastation felt by families of anyone working in the trade who pass as a result of coronavirus - or of any illness, for that matter. 

“At present, we have not been informed directly by any members or drivers either ill from the virus or experiencing symptoms, although we fully expect some will have symptoms and be self-isolating.

"We are also aware of some members and drivers who have taken the decision to “park up” and stay at home which we fully respect."

Glasgow's biggest taxi firm has reassured drivers that their safety is of utmost concern to the 

The spokesman added: “We are in almost daily dialogue with the full membership as we try to support them as much as we can during this unprecedented situation. 

“To those with no health concerns at present and keen to continue to help keep key workers moving in the city, they are able to choose to do so thanks to the partition nature of our vehicles and with pre-payment or contactless payment available. All vehicles are being cleaned before and after every journey. 

“The health and safety of all our members is paramount and we continue to ask all staff, members and drivers to follow government and NHS advice at all times.”

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