The Covid-19 vaccination for taxi and e-hailing drivers are already underway, according to Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
The announcement was made on Wee’s Facebook page, following a post on Segambut MP’s, Hannah Yeoh’s Facebook page. The post claimed that Yeoh was contacted by a Grab driver on concerns about being constantly exposed and the lack of progress with Covid-19 vaccination.
Yeoh also pointed out that there’s no way for drivers to know the rider’s health condition when until the rider gets on board and scans the QR code. That’s even if the rider’s MySejahtera status is updated.
“The potential exposure and chain of infection is simply unimaginable yet can be avoided and must be avoided,” said Yeoh.
In response, Wee said the vaccination process for taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers and riders has already begun after the Ministry of Transport received the list of names from the respective operators in mid-June.
Wee added that the eligible vaccine recipients will be notified by the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) for their vaccination schedules.
The first batch would see over 41,488 taxi and e-hailing drivers and 11,527 p-hailing riders get vaccinated while an additional list of around 57,931 p-hailing riders has also been submitted for CITF’s consideration.
There are approximately 40,000 taxi driver, 110,000 e-hailing drivers and 154,000 p-hailing riders nationwide. Wee reiterated that 80% of taxi and e-hailing drivers can be vaccinated by National Day (31st of August).
