Following the public health situation on COVID-19, Grab Philippines is doubling down on its safety and hygiene standards to minimize risks of the spread of COVID-19 for its mobility service – GrabCar, by implementing a set of policies supporting the government’s health and safety regulations, as well as introducing GrabProtect- a robust set of initiatives and features, which include online health and hygiene checklist, a mask selfie verification tool, safety and hygiene certification, hygiene kits, mandatory deep disinfection of vehicles – all in the aim enforcing higher safety and hygiene standards for public transport in the country.

To support the regulations set by the government, individuals who belong to any these classifications are highly encouraged to stay at home and not to use any public transportation:

1. Individuals below the age of 21, and those 60 years old and above (unless they will need to purchase essential items, or classified as workers belonging to operating industries)
2. Individuals who are infected with COVID-19
3. Individuals who are immune-deficient
4. Individuals who are mandated to remain in-residence
5. Individuals who are pregnant

Introducing policies supporting the government’s health and safety regulations:

1. Following the government’s mandate for cashless payments on all public transportation, Grab’s mobility service offerings will be simplified to either:

a. GrabCar (GrabPay) – for all transactions using GrabPay as the payment option, and
b. GrabCar (Credit/Debit Card) – for all transactions paid through Credit or Debit Cards.

2. Each GrabCar will only have a maximum seating capacity of two (2) passengers, and each will sit close to the windows at the back of the vehicle.

3. Only public health vehicles are allowed to transport COVID-19 positive individuals.

4. Driver-partners and passengers are required to wear facemasks at all times.

5. Driver-partners are required to keep their vehicles disinfected at all times, especially every end of the trip.

6. Each vehicle is required to have a non-permeable acetate barrier installed between the passengers and the driver-partner.

7. To aid in an effective contact-tracing procedure when deemed necessary, passengers are not allowed to book for others. They are required to show their booking code to their respective driver-partner before entering their assigned vehicle. However, exceptions will be made in specific cases of emergencies wherein the destination is a hospital and the account holder or companion was the one who made the booking.

8. Driver-partners are required to open and close the doors for the passengers, passengers are not allowed to open the doors themselves.

9. Eating and/or drinking is not allowed inside the car, and passengers are required to clean after themselves.

10. Every time a passenger books for a ride, the passenger will receive a notification via GrabChat reminding them of the proper safety and hygiene protocol during the ride.

Implementing GrabProtect to further raise Grab’s existing standards on platform safety and hygiene:

1. Checking that you’re well enough to head out

Grab driver- and delivery-partners have been submitting daily health declarations confirming they are well before starting their day with Grab. By the end of June, the Grab app will prompt passengers, drivers, and delivery-partners to complete the online health and hygiene checklist, confirming they do not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms and have adopted the necessary safety and hygiene measures before they make a booking or start driving.

Drivers and passengers are strongly encouraged to submit feedback through Grab’s in-app Help Centre should either party appear unwell. Individuals who have received more than one report about exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be advised to see a doctor and will have their Grab accounts temporarily put on hold until they receive medical clearance.

2. Protecting each other by masking up

Grab driver- and delivery-partners are required to wear a mask whenever they are on the Grab platform. The same policy will apply to passengers in countries where masking-up is compulsory in public spaces. Both drivers and passengers can cancel the booking without penalty before the ride commences, by selecting “driver/passenger did not wear a mask” as their cancellation reason, should either party show up without a mask on. Grab will investigate accounts that have received such feedback multiple times.
Grab’s new “mask selfie verification feature” will help verify that drivers and delivery-partners are wearing a mask before they start receiving bookings and orders.
 
4. Keeping your surroundings clean for the next person

Grab drivers and delivery-partners are encouraged to carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant sprays with them at all times so that they can keep surfaces and hands clean after every booking. Grab has distributed over 4,000 bottles of hand sanitizers and disinfectant to its partners over the last few months.

5. Safety and Hygiene Certification for all driver-partners

Grab has instituted and mandated a rigorous safety and hygiene certification for all driver-partners who wish to ply the roads. In this training session, driver-partners are briefed on the mandatory temperature check, the existing government policies and public health safety standards, how to maintain sanitation and cleanliness in their vehicles, as well as implementing the contactless ride protocol.

After completing the Safety and Hygiene Certification, drivers will be provided with hygiene kits which are partially subsidized by Grab. Each hygiene kit will include a cloth face mask, surface disinfectant, and the non-permeable acetate barrier that they would need to install in their own vehicles.

6. Mandatory Deep Disinfection

On top of drivers disinfecting their vehicles after every trip, Grab will also require deep-disinfection of all the vehicles every other day. This will be done in partnership with select sanitation hubs who have deep-disinfection capability. Once cleaned, driver-partners are required to allow for the chemicals to dissipate prior to boarding any passenger. This layer of sanitation will ensure that all vehicles are safe and hygienic for public use.

7. Looking out for each other, by keeping everyone in check

Maintaining the safety and well-being of everyone in the platform is the utmost importance for Grab, which is why we encourage everyone to look out for each other and keep everyone in check. Grab will institute a feedback mechanism that would allow for both drivers and passengers to report to our Help Center, any incidents or violations which are counter to the safety and hygiene protocols.

“Safety has always been at the core of what we do at Grab and while we understand that the public health situation remains to be fluid and ever-changing, we will continue to introduce innovations and policies that would protect and support the lives and livelihoods of every Filipino. We have made significant strides on safety and we will not shy away from making more meaningful contributions to put our passengers, and driver-partners at ease as we move towards the New Reality,” says Grab Philippines President Brian Cu.

Photo Source: Facebook/GrabPH