PETALING JAYA: As the government plans to vaccinate delivery riders, e-hailing drivers, courier delivery workers and some traders starting July, those involved believe it is a much-needed move to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Food delivery and e-hailing driver Nik Amirrul Hafiz Bolia said he welcomed the government's move to vaccinate the group starting next month but believed that it should have been done earlier during MCO 2.0 to reduce Covid-19 cases among riders and e-hailing drivers.

       "This is what we have been waiting for since the first MCO because we considered ourselves as frontliners.

       "It is about time for us to get vaccinated to keep us safe while doing our day-to-day job," he said.

       The 48-year-old, who lives in Kota Damansara, said at times, he was forced to enter high-risk areas where he has to practice extra caution and follow strict SOP.

       "Our priority is not only to handle food and people but help the government spread awareness to passengers and clients on the disease," he said.

       In response to the current widespread Covid-19 infections, Nik Amirrul said some customers would request their food to be left outside their house or bring a sanitisation spray to disinfect the packages.

       "Mainly, most of them are adhering to the SOP given by their condominium management, which restricts riders from entering the premises, so the items would be left at the guardhouse," he said.

       Nik Amirrul said he took precaution by sanitising his hands before and after handling food packages, as well as regularly sanitising his e-hailing car.

       This is besides wearing a mask and face shield when talking to passengers or clients.

       A Grab delivery rider, who only wanted to be known as Alvin, also believed that the government should have prioritised those working in the delivery and transportation services to get vaccinated earlier due to their nature of work.

       "We are required to meet people every day, commuting from several shops and houses a day and this puts us at high risk of getting infected.

       "I'm also staying at a high risk area in Mahkota Cheras. I've felt unsafe because of the risk when I travel daily due to my work," he said.

       Nasi kandar shop owner Mohammad Adib Khairi said he highly supported the government's move to give vaccinations to traders and food delivery riders as they are also considered to be high-risk groups.

       "Besides frontline members such as the police, soldiers and health personnel, those involved in food preparations should also be in the forefront of receiving the vaccine soonest.

       "This is because the risk involving those working in the sector is high as we handle food and transactions involving cash," he said.

       Adib said he has to ensure strict compliance to SOP when operating his shop during the MCO, especially with the infection higher now.

       "There will sometimes be long queues, especially during lunch hour so it is important that we have crowd control to avoid people violating physical distancing and other rules such as not wearing their face mask properly.

       "Strict precaution is also needed for our delivery riders who are exposed to great risk because contact occurs at every place where the food is delivered," he said.