Singapore-based on-demand app Grab said on Thursday that it will roll out a financial assistance program for employees and their immediate family, along with drivers and delivery partners, who are not covered by a national vaccination scheme.
For drivers and delivery personnel, the company will subsidize vaccination costs and extend its coverage for lost income due to COVID-19, which is provided by insurance partner Chubb in Singapore. For employees and their families, Grab will cover the cost. The firm aims to have everyone vaccinated by the end of 2022.
Grab is further in discussions with various governments to support the transport to and from vaccination centers for people requiring special assistance, such as the elderly or disabled. It also wants to participate in last-mile vaccine distribution as its drivers are also covering rural areas.
“We’re ready to offer our technology, network, and reach to support national vaccination efforts in the best way we can, and look forward to releasing more information on our initiatives locally as plans are confirmed,” said the managing director of operations Russell Cohen.
Grab currently operates in eight markets across Southeast Asia covering 397 cities, with more than 1 million drivers. During the pandemic, the platform has become essential for many citizens who relied on it for daily essentials and food delivery.