Launch of four-wheel ride-hailing service under COVID-19 lockdown aims to bring peace of mind to frontline healthcare workers

Ho Chi Minh City, 19 August 2021: Gojek, Southeast Asia's leading mobile on-demand services platform, today introduced GoCar - its four-wheel ride-hailing service - in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The service will be available exclusively to frontline healthcare workers for now, before expanding to serve the general public later this year. The launch, which comes amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in the city, is an extension of Gojek’s continued commitment to supporting communities and playing a leading role in responding to the pandemic.

To support the Vietnamese government’s call for organisations and individuals to work together to fight COVID-19, and in cooperation with the HCMC government, including the Department of Transportation and Department of Health, GoCar is launching with a fleet of 50 vehicles. This new service will be offered to healthcare workers from five hospitals and medical command centers in HCMC, including three COVID-19 Intensive Care Units supported by Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital and Hue Central Hospital; HCMC Department of Health; and HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC). The list of served hospitals and medical facilities may be extended further, under the guidance of the city’s Department of Health.

GoCar's first users will also be offered complimentary access to GoCar Protect, GoCar’s premium service, which includes enhanced safety and hygiene features. All GoCar Protect vehicles are equipped with a SHARP air purifier, which is designed to neutralize airborne viruses. In addition, all the cars will be furnished with sanitizers and protective shields to separate drivers and riders and prevent the spread of viruses.

All driver-partners are required to follow Gojek’s strict health and hygiene protocols, which include taking a PCR test before their first trip and on a weekly basis after that, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and adhering to the practice of Vietnam’s 5Ks (Khau trang- wearing a face mask; Khu khuan - hand washing and disinfecting; Khoang cach - keeping distance; Khong tap trung - no mass gatherings; and Khai bao y te - filling out health declaration forms).

In order to support the City’s drive to prevent the spread of the virus, Gojek has arranged for driver-partners to stay at hotels from now until late September when Ho Chi Minh City’s lockdown is anticipated to end.

Duc Phung, Gojek Vietnam General Manager said: “We have made all the necessary preparations to launch GoCar this year. When the pandemic escalated in HCMC and social distancing regulations were put in place, we pivoted quickly, adjusting the service to focus on supporting healthcare workers. We have since been working closely with the local government to get driver-partners on the road to smoothen the city’s supply chain and support the transportation needs of healthcare professionals.

“Healthcare workers are on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19 and are risking their own safety so that the community can stay safe. We are grateful to them and want to do our part to make it easy for them to get to and from work, so that they can focus on the far more important business of treating patients.

“When the situation is safer - and restrictions are eased - we will of course extend the GoCar offering to the wider public.”

“We would like to thank the local government, especially HCMC Department of Transportation and Department of Health, who were instrumental in helping us make GoCar available under extraordinary circumstances. We believe that with the collaboration and contribution of everyone, we will soon overcome this challenging time.”

Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director General of Hochiminh City Department of Transportation, said: “The transportation needs of healthcare workers in Ho Chi Minh City is substantial as the city is mobilizing medical resources to fight against COVID-19. We appreciate Gojek’s proactive collaboration and support to facilitate healthcare workers’ essential travel, as they support our citizens. We hope that Gojek’s initiative will inspire other organizations to join hands with the government to make the city safe and to assist communities in every possible way.”

Tung Vu, one of GoCar’s first driver-partners, said, “I am privileged to be a part of GoCar and to serve the needs of medical workers. Gojek has raised the bar in hygiene and safety, which I believe will set new standards in the industry in protecting both drivers and users. Amidst the adversity of COVID-19, I am thankful to have this opportunity to play a small role in helping the city and its healthcare workers.”

GoCar is the latest addition to Gojek’s line-up of offerings in the Vietnam market, which include on-demand services for motorbike-hailing (GoRide), parcel delivery (GoSend) and online food delivery (GoFood).