Many app-based delivery workers in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at local medical stations on Tuesday morning for rapid COVID-19 tests as a compulsory procedure before starting their daily job.

At a mobile medical station on Le Van Duyet Street in Binh Thanh District, multiple delivery drivers arrived at around 5:00 am, according to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters.

Le Minh Triet, a driver of Fclass Vietnam, was the first to have his samples collected, and his result came back negative after only 10 minutes.

Nguyen Van Tu, a driver of Be Group, said he woke up very early to prepare for the mandatory COVID-19 testing.

Tu said he had come to three medical stations, all of which were still closed, before arriving at the station on Le Van Duyet Street.

After testing negative for the novel coronavirus, the delivery worker turned on his mobile application and waited for his first trip.

“I don’t mind getting tested every day," Tu said.

"It is necessary to ensure safety for myself and my clients.”

Meanwhile, dozens of delivery workers were still waiting at a medical station on Quang Trung Street in Go Vap District at 7:00 am because the facility was yet to open.

A similar situation was also recorded at some other testing sites in Go Vap.

“I have waited here since 5:00 am but health workers have yet to show up,” a deliveryman stated.

Many others decided to go home due to the long wait.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on Sunday announced that app-based delivery workers would be allowed to resume operation in high-risk areas, including Thu Duc City, District 8, District 12, Go Vap District, Binh Tan District, Binh Thanh District, Binh Chanh District, and Hoc Mon District, from Monday.

The service had been suspended in these areas from August 23, when city authorities began implementing a shelter-in-place mandate.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, delivery workers in high-risk districts are required to undergo testing at 5:00-6:30 am every day.

In other districts where the risk of transmission is lower, delivery staff are required to be tested once every two days.

The obligatory COVID-19 testing is provided free of charge for one week starting Monday and is conducted at 414 mobile medical stations operated by military medics in 21 districts and Thu Duc City.

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