Saigon Enforces New Rules On Delivery Drivers, Each Only Allowed To Work In One District

Saigon issues new rules for delivery drivers

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With Saigon under strict Covid-19 restrictions and citizens urged to stay home at all times, delivery drivers have become an essential workforce, bringing groceries and essential supplies to each household.

But given that these drivers come into contact with a large number of people and carry high risks of infection, authorities have deemed it necessary to monitor them closely. A new set of rules regarding delivery drivers’ activities has been implemented, effective from 26th July.

Here are what the new rules entail.

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Saigon delivery drivers must have identification cards and be tested regularly, the new rules say

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(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Image credit: Thanh Niên

Yesterday, HCMC People’s Committee issued Document 2491/UBND-ĐT, which listed several new regulations delivery companies and drivers have to comply with starting from 26th July.

A notable change the new rules bring is that each delivery driver is now required to carry a hard identification card with their picture, as well as wear an armband bearing the word “Shipper” – the common Vietnamese term for delivery drivers.

Delivery companies are to equip their staff with sanitizers and QR codes that, when scanned, show the driver’s information such as name and address, as well as details of the package being delivered. Also, they must work closely with medical authorities to perform Covid-19 tests on drivers on a regular basis, ideally once every week.

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Each driver can only carry essential goods and work in one district

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(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Image credit: Lao Động

The document also states that drivers are now only allowed to transport essential goods. Moreover, each driver can only work in one district of the city and must not cross into others.

On a daily basis, delivery companies must register a list of their active drivers and their working areas to the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Transport. The information will be used to trace a driver’s identity and activities if necessary.

Aside from delivery service providers, the new rules apply to other companies with in-house delivery staff as well.

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Keep yourselves updated on new regulations and stay safe

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The Covid-19 situation is constantly changing, so authorities might have to issue directives on short notice to adapt quickly. It’s important to keep yourself regularly updated on new regulations to stay safe and avoid getting fined for unknowingly commit a banned action.

In this case, the new document mostly concerns delivery companies, but it might cause changes in the drivers’ routines and possibly delays in deliveries. So if your package arrives a little bit late, cut your driver some slack.

For more stories, check out:

• Saigon residents dress up as delivery drivers to go out
• Residents exercise at 3AM to avoid patrols
• Man jumps into river to escape social distancing violation fine
• Maskless man ignores police, insists on finishing his exercise
• Rider wears sign explaining why he’s out during pandemic

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Cover image adapted from Thanh Niên, for illustrative purposes only