In an update to users last week, Grab said it has deployed 50 e-scooters to local governments specifically use by health care workers and other essential employees. [Read: UK takes next step toward world of e-scooters, self-driving cars, and autonomous drones] Workers in Manila, Quezon City, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Marikina, and Pasig will have the chance to use the e-scooters. Grab says it has also prepared a further 300 e-scooters ready for deployment if the need arises. Some might be concerned about the hygiene of using a device that’s been used by other people. While some e-scooter companies are cleaning their machines more often than normal, it’s probably worth cleaning the contact points yourself, and wearing gloves as well. Grab hasn’t mentioned if it’s cleaning its scooters more frequently. The platform is also providing a round-the-clock car service that will carry a maximum of two healthcare workers at time. Grab says it is observing social distancing guidelines set by the government. It is retrofitting vehicles to physically separate drivers from passengers with a clear plastic divider. Drivers are also getting specialist training in how to maintain hygiene and decrease risk of infection in their vehicles. It’s good to see companies like Grab putting their fleets of vehicles to good use during the coronavirus outbreak. Similar firms, Lime and Bird, have been switching off their service and removing vehicles from the streets of cities around the US and Europe due to a drop in users amid the spread of COVID-19.
