Grab orders available for Thu Duc residents starting Aug. 28

People would be able to order from local supermarkets and shops, with deliveries made by representatives of Thu Duc City People's Committee, it stated.

A Grab representative said the firm is working closely with Thu Duc authorities to operate the system most effectively and meet food demands during the lockdown.

"We are glad to offer our Grab app platform for free to help authorities deliver necessities to people in high-risk areas across Ho Chi Minh City, and have received approval and support from authorities in Thu Duc City," the representative added.

Previously, Grab had offered the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade use of its Grab app for free in Thu Duc City and seven districts where shippers were not allowed to deliver groceries, etc.

"Using tech apps to help people shop on the Grab platform, instead of manual methods, would bring positive impacts and help maintain the supply chain," the firm said.

The HCMC trade and industry department on Saturday also confirmed certain localities were discussing with Grab to adopt the solution, while affirming Grab itself would not be responsible for delivering the goods.

Le Hai Binh, an e-commerce expert, said utilizing the platform of delivery services to shop online is appropriate to lighten the load on local authorities in certain high-risk areas. Shippers might consist of volunteers and militia members, and would be fully vaccinated, he added.

"Shippers employed by platforms would be hard to manage properly," Binh said.

HCMC, epicenter of Vietnam's fourth coronavirus wave since April, has recorded nearly 200,000 local Covid-19 cases in the new outbreak.

It has undergone a series of social distancing orders amid persistent coronavirus threats, and has entirely banned people from going out starting Aug. 23. Residents would have their food, medications and other necessities delivered to their doorsteps instead by local authorities.