The Grab Driver Centre at Sin Ming Lane had to close temporarily yesterday (April 8) after hundreds of drivers turned up to collect bags for food delivery.
These applicants had turned at the centre to collect food delivery gear, in response to an extended pilot programme that lets taxi drivers and private-hire drivers deliver food and parcels to help meet the increased demand for home deliveries.
A Grab driver told The Straits Times that there were about 300 to 400 people queueing at the centre, making it difficult to comply with safe distancing measures.
The police were even called in to help “maintain peace and adhere to safe distancing measures,” according to a statement by the Singapore Police Force.
In a message to drivers yesterday afternoon, Grab apologised for the inconvenience caused.
“Due to the crowd at our Grab Driver Centre, we regret to inform that the centre is closed to protect your well-being and comply with safe distancing measures,” it added.
In a later update, Grab said eligible drivers would be able to start delivering food and parcels by the end of the day, even if they had not collected the food delivery bag.
On that note, it urged drivers who have not collected the GrabFood halal bag to use different bags of their own to separately store halal and non-halal food.
According to a Grab spokesperson, those who wish to pick up delivery gear can now do so from 10am to 6pm on weekdays, strictly on an appointment basis.
“We would like to take this opportunity to assure our partners that they will be able to apply for an appointment slot to collect their delivery gear soon.”
Featured Image Credit: Singapore Election News Portal via Facebook / Kentaro Iwamoto via Nikkei Asian Review
