Gojek Starts Financial Aid for Drivers Contracting COVID-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Application-based technology service provider Gojek has launched an income assistance scheme for driver partners who test positive for COVID-19.

"Since yesterday (3/17), we have started an income assistance scheme for driver partners, in case of a positive diagnosis of COVID-19," Gojek Co-CEO Kevin Aluwi said in an official statement released on Wednesday in Jakarta.

The scheme will provide income support and temporarily stop installments, including insurance premiums and vehicle payments, until the partners concerned return to work, explained Kevin Aluwi.

"We are the first to implement such a scheme," he said.

In addition, he continued, for mutual security, Gojek has also temporarily deactivated accounts of partners who have been kept under observation for COVID-19, until there is confirmation of medical tests from the government.

"We also have a team working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help connect partners with hospitals or health authorities, if they have issues related to COVID-19," he said.

He stressed that Gojek is trying to keep the community, including partners in the company's ecosystem, functioning as normally as possible amid the challenges of COVID-19.

In addition, the company is emphasizing three areas in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, stated Kevin adding, he would like to invite hundreds of millions of individuals in the Gojek ecosystem to protect one another.

The three areas the company is focusing on to prevent the spread of the virus are social distancing, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and maintaining productivity.

To limit social distance, he said, the company is providing the option of minimizing direct contact between customers and driver partners while completing food orders.

"All parties involved in the order are accompanied by a body temperature marking card. The aim is to ensure safety and keep food hygienic up to (the time it reaches) the hands of customers," he said.

Finally, he said, Gojek is actively collaborating with various stakeholders from the public and private sectors to get a variety of goods and items, such as hand sanitizers and masks, to ensure driver partners stay healthy and safe from COVID-19.

ANTARA