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SINGAPORE: More than 50,000 taxi drivers and private drivers will be able to book appointments for their COVID-19 vaccinations starting this week, as Singapore moves forward with its national vaccination program.
By the end of this week, active drivers will progressively receive an SMS with a link for them to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments, the Land Transportation Authority (LTA) said on Tuesday (February 23).
They can choose to get vaccinated at any of the vaccination centers, polyclinics or public health preparedness clinics that function as vaccination sites, LTA said.
The vaccination exercise is a joint effort of the LTA and the Ministry of Health, with the support of the National Taxi Association (NTA) and the National Association of Private Rental Vehicles (NPHVA), as well as taxi and rental operators. private.
Vaccination efforts for the point-to-point transportation sector began on Tuesday, with some 300 drivers receiving their first dose at the site of the former Hong Kah High School in Jurong West. The former school site now serves as a vaccination center.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the center, State Transport Minister Amy Khor said the exercise is part of efforts to provide vaccines to some 80,000 land transport workers to “strengthen the resilience of transport services. essential “.
“As of February 14, more than 14,000 public transportation workers have received the first dose of the vaccine. And among them, more than 10,000 of these workers have received the second dose of their vaccine, thus completing the entire vaccination regimen, ”said Dr. Khor, who is also a Member of Parliament for Hong Kah North.
LEE: COVID-19 vaccination begins for the land transport sector with jabs that will be offered to 80,000 workers
READ: More than 52,000 transportation workers have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
He noted that the leaders of the NTA and NPHVA, who are drivers themselves, had set an example by showing up for the first dose of their vaccinations, as had the senior management of the taxi and private rental operators.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NTA and NPHVA have been working closely with our point-to-point drivers and tripartite partners to deliver a safe transportation experience. They have been maintaining good personal hygiene, keeping their vehicles clean and practicing safe driving measures while transporting passengers, ”said the director of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Yeo Wan Ling.
“Our drivers also want to do their part in Singapore’s vaccination strategy. This measure will further protect them, their families, as well as our travelers, ”said Ms. Yeo, who is also a deputy from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
“Vaccination can give our taxi drivers and (private rental) drivers additional peace of mind by ensuring protection for themselves and their families,” said LTA Executive Director Ng Lang.
It will also provide safety for travelers and contribute to the overall community resilience against COVID-19, he added.
READ: Private rental car and taxi drivers to get additional COVID-19 support of S $ 133 million starting in January
Ms Tammy Tan, group corporate communications director for taxi giant ComfortDelGro, said the company is pleased that vaccines are being offered to drivers.
“We strongly support the measure and have been urging our drivers to sign up, not only for their own health, but also for the safety of passengers and their families,” he said.
Grab Singapore Managing Director Yee Wee Tang said the firm will offer drivers an extension of their extended medical leave insurance policy to cover possible loss of income should they be hospitalized due to the side effects of the vaccination.
“We will also continue to engage our driver partners through our driver app to help them better understand the benefits of vaccination,” Yee said, adding that vaccinating drivers is “an important step in helping Singapore move into driver mode. recovery ”.
Earlier this month, Grab announced plans to vaccinate all its staff, drivers and delivery people across the region by the end of next year.
The number of passengers in taxis and in the private rental sectors has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, due to a drop in tourism and many workers from home.
In December, the Government announced a S $ 133 million COVID-19 Driver Assistance Fund, which will allow some 52,000 drivers to receive S $ 600 per vehicle per month between January and March, and S $ 450 between April and June of this anus.
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