Grab drivers receive free COVID-19 tests


It’s been a little over a month since Jakartans have been encouraged to self-quarantine and carry on with school and work responsibilities at home. While meeting deadlines can be especially tough in the middle of a pandemic, the ability to work from home can still be considered to be a luxury for many.

On the other hand, drivers and delivery workers, such as the ones working for the ridesharing app Grab, play a huge role in getting everything – from groceries and medicine to coffee – for those of us who can stay at home. Their job makes them vulnerable to COVID-19, so it’s important that they get tested without additional cost. Thankfully, they can now. 


GrabHealth provides free rapid and PCR tests for drivers and healthcare workers


Grab driver gets tested by healthcare workerImage credit: Grab

Since drivers and delivery workers are among frontliners in this pandemic, their health should not be neglected. On 15th April 2020, GrabHealth, together with Indonesian digital health platform Good Doctor, started providing free rapid tests to 1,000 Grab drivers as well as healthcare professionals in Jakarta.

Grab driver gets tested by two healthcare workers
Image credit: Liputan6 

Similar to what has been practiced in countries such as South Korea, the rapid test is done via drive-through, whereas PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is available at hospitals that are part of the program. 

Participants can get a pre-test consultation from doctors at Good Doctor by using the GrabHealth feature on the Grab app. It should be noted that PCR testing is primarily aimed at the most high-risk individuals.


The service is available until 30th April 2020


Rapid test sample
Image credit: Grab

Neneng Goenadi, Grab Indonesia’s Managing Director, has stated that the safety of its workers and customers, as well as the country’s overwhelmed healthcare professionals, are of the utmost priority. According to the Grab website, more free tests will be conducted until 30th April 2020.

Let’s hope that more frontliners will receive the care that they need.

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Cover image adapted from: Liputan6 and Grab  

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