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The coronavirus crisis is being felt around the world by all the communities we serve. Our teams are working 24/7 to assist public health authorities in their response to the pandemic, and to take actions that support drivers and delivery people, customers, and our business partners, both large and small. 

To ensure Uber’s efforts are grounded in the latest medical advice, we’re consulting with an epidemiologist and are engaged with top experts. Here are the latest developments in our ongoing global response.

Public safety:

  • In-app messaging: We are displaying in-app messages reminding riders to travel only when necessary and encouraging riders and drivers to take steps to protect themselves. 
  • Supporting healthcare workers: In Europe and Latin America, we are working with public authorities to offer rides for healthcare workers to hospitals and their homes. We are exploring options to expand this service to other countries.
  • Discounted rides: We launched discounted rides in SF, Washington DC, and Seattle to connect low-income and vulnerable communities to food. In Rome, we reduced the price of JUMP e-bikes to one euro per trip to support those who need to get from A to B.
  • Suspension of Uber Pool: To support social distancing, we have temporarily suspended the Uber Pool service around the world.
  • “Leave at door” delivery: We have advised Eats customers to use the no-contact feature by selecting “leave at door” at checkout or communicating instructions directly to delivery people in-app.
  • Uber Eats phone assistance: Beginning in France, Eats customers who do not have a smartphone have the option to reach out via a dedicated phone number and get assistance to order a meal.
  • Feeding first responders: We’re committing 300,000 free meals on Uber Eats to first responders and healthcare workers in the US and Canada, and 25,000 in Australia and New Zealand.

Drivers and delivery people:

  • Financial assistance: Any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID‑19, or is individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority due to a risk of spreading the virus, can be eligible for up to 14 days of financial assistance while their account is on hold. We are also working with our rental car partners in Australia, Brazil, the UK and the US to help drivers who cannot work to return their rented vehicles with no penalty.
  • Creating more work opportunities: We’ve made it easier for drivers to begin accepting Eats delivery requests to create an additional source of income for those who are receiving fewer requests for rides.
  • Cleaning supplies: We are working with manufacturers and distributors to provide drivers and delivery people with disinfectants, as soon as they become commercially available. Thousands of sanitation kits will also be sent to small carriers that use the Uber Freight platform.

Uber Eats restaurant partners: 

  • Restaurant support: Beginning in the US & Canada, we have announced efforts to support the restaurant industry, including driving customer demand by waiving the Delivery Fee on all orders from independent restaurants. We’ve also launched a daily pay-out feature to help restaurant cash flows as on-premise dining declines. Similar efforts have been announced in Australia & New Zealand, the U.K., France, and across Latin America, with more to come.
  • Restaurant onboarding: We’re making it quicker and easier for new restaurants to join Uber Eats, as many are required to shut their doors to the public.

Freight:

  • Supporting small shippers: All relief loads transporting critical goods booked on the shipper platform in the US will be hauled with zero profit pricing by Uber Freight, while the current FMCSA hours-of-service suspension is in place.
  • Offering warm meals for truck drivers: All truck drivers hauling loads through the Uber Freight app will receive a weekly $20 credit towards any meal ordered on Uber Eats in the US. More details on these efforts can be found here.

Our team is working around the clock to do everything we can to support the communities we serve. We’re committed to keeping you informed on our ongoing response and we’ll share more updates here in the days to come.