Jakarta. Tech giant Grab and health platform Good Doctor have opened up Southeast Asia's first Covid-19 vaccination drive-thru in Bali to inoculate thousands tourism workers and ride-hailing drivers.

The drive-thru is available at Grab's vaccination center at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) in Badung. In this program, the two start-ups teamed up with the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Health Ministry, and Bali Provincial Government.

"The vaccination center offers a drive-thru —the first in Indonesia and Southeast Asia— and a walk-in service. We would like to accomodate all segments of the society in accordance with our GrabforGood mission and principles of inclusion," Grab country managing director Neneng Goenadi told an online conference on Sunday.

The center targets to vaccinate 5,000 workers in the tourism sector, public transportation services, and Grab's ride-hailing and delivery drivers in Bali.

"We are also targeting public transportation drivers. It is not just the online ride-hailing drivers," Neneng said.

During the conference, Neneng shot down rumors that the vaccine center would inoculate Grab's very own employees.

"There is not a single Grab employee [who would get their vaccine shot at this center]. These vaccines are all for tourism actors and drivers," Neneng said.

Neneng highlighted it is important for tourism workers and drivers to receive the Covid-19 jab as they are more susceptible to virus transmission due to their high mobility. "By vaccinating them, they can remain productive and serve the public to keep the wheel of economy turning."

According to President of Grab Indonesia Ridzki Kramadibrata, the vaccination drive-thru service will eventually make its way to other cities in the archipelago.

"Depending on the results of the first vaccination center, Grab and the Health Ministry will consider expanding the partnership to other cities in Indonesia. We will soon bring this drive-thru service to other cities," Ridzki said.

Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno hopes the vaccination center can revive Bali's pandemic-crippled tourism.

"This is a colossal step in recovering the tourism and creative economy sector. [...] This is a concrete action of innovation and beautiful collaboration," Sandiaga said.