FAQs for drivers during national lockdown level 3 in South Africa

Latest News

Lockdown Level 3 changes below. – Update 14 July 2020
Visit Uber Partner Radio for the latest COVID-19 series episode, here. – Update 7 May 2020
Visit the Government Relief guide for recent relief efforts, here. – Update 4 May 2020

Q: When can I operate during level 3 lockdown based on the updates made on 12 July?
You will be able to accept rider requests at any time of the day for permitted travel only. Riders who request a trip during the curfew will need to produce a permit in line with the regulations. 

By law, It is required that you and your rider wear a cloth face mask or appropriate face covering whenever in public. This includes while driving. Do not accept any trips if a rider refuses to wear a mask or to cover their nose and mouth, you will not be penalised.

Please ensure you have also taken additional safety measures as mandated by law such as regularly sanitising your car. Remember to regularly sanitise your hands. Riders will be required to take safety precautions like washing their hands before getting in the car, sitting in the backseat and opening windows for ventilation. 

Q: What happens if a rider is carrying alcohol?
Transportation of liquor is prohibited. If a rider is carrying alcohol, please cancel the trip and provide feedback in-app.

Q: How many passengers can I transport?
UberGo, UberX, UberBLACK, UberASSIST, UberVIP – Maximum of 2 passengers
UberXL – Maximum of  3 passengers
UberVan – Maximum of  4 passengers

Q: Do I need to wear a face mask?
It is required that you wear a cloth face mask or face covering whenever in public. This includes while driving. 

How to use a cloth mask:
Wash your hands before applying and after removing a mask
Avoid touching the cloth part of the mask whilst wearing it
Refrain from touching your face
Wash the mask daily with soap and warm water
Rinse thoroughly and iron the mask
We recommend having at least two masks so that you can wear one while you are washing the other.

We are currently distributing masks in phases to qualifying drivers. To see if you may qualify you can confirm here. 
If you do not qualify, you can make a mask at home by following the instructions in this video link.

Q: Do I need to sanitise my car?
It is required that you sanitise your vehicle either before or after each and every trip with a surface sanitiser.

Q. Do you have health tips?
Do not drive if you’re feeling sick.

If you’re driving:
– Wear a cloth face mask or face covering. 
– Cover your mouth and nose if you sneeze or cough, do so into your elbow or a tissue. 
– Riders must sit in the back to give you more space.
– Open the window.
– Please sanitize your hands as often as you can and sanitize your vehicle after each trip with a surface sanitizer. 

Q. How can I access the relief announced by the Minister of Transport?
We’re pleased by the government’s announcement to include e-hailing drivers into the relief package. We are currently engaging regularly with the Minister of Transport and Department of Transport regarding the uncertainty around the relief amounts and how this can be accessed. 

We are committed to working with government agencies and other stakeholders on your  behalf to ensure you are supported during this difficult time.

Q: What else is Uber doing to support drivers?

Government Relief 
We are actively engaging with the government on behalf of driver partners to understand what relief can be provided. The government relief portal is continuously updated with the latest information about government led financial support that you may be eligible for and how you can request it. Please visit this page for more information.

Financial Assistance Policy
Drivers diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority will receive financial assistance. Detailed information regarding the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy can be found here.

Face Masks
We are working with YES4youth Foundation to distribute face cloth masks to qualifying driver-partners. To see if you may qualify and where we will be distributing next, you can confirm here. 

If you do not qualify, you can make a mask at home by following the instructions in the video link.

Vehicle Partners
We are working with preferred vehicle partners to ask that they support drivers in need by reducing the overall cost of their vehicles. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your vehicle owner or fleet partner for more information.

Sanitiser Reimbursement
Uber will make a one-time reimbursement with a maximum threshold (R60) to cover the expense of buying surface sanitizers (with a minimum alcohol content of 60%). See here for more info.

For South Africa recommended suppliers* see here.

Discovery Healthcare Driver Plan
This is a reminder that Driver Care, a special Discovery healthcare cover is available just for Uber driver-partners. 

This plan offers access to quality and affordable private healthcare cover for driver-partners and their families on a voluntary basis. Subject to the rules of the plan, the plan also covers costs and treatments associated with COVID-19.

If you choose to join the plan, you will be bound by the rules of the plan and will have immediate access to the benefit with no waiting period up until 31 July 2020 for a monthly premium of R234. Spouses and children can be added for an additional R249 and R194 respectively.  

Please WhatsApp/call 067 276 2170 or 0672763185 for more information or to join the plan. Find out more

Q: What is UberDirect and how do I get involved?
UberDirect is a new product which aims to provide on-demand last-mile delivery solutions to businesses, their customers and consumers. This is an opportunity for driver-partners to support their community while receiving additional trips and earnings, especially when things are quiet. You are required to keep your Level 3 Permit and photo ID with you when operating. Find out more about UberDirect and how you can get involved here.

Q: Can you tell me more about next-day Cashouts? And am I eligible for this?
To help create a reliable cash flow, drivers can now cash out to their bank account once per day instead of weekly, putting drivers in control of when they get paid. Please see here for more info.

Q: I haven’t received any rider requests?
Please note due to the level 3 lockdown, people have limited their movement due to the restrictions around level 3 permitted travel only. Therefore the amount of trips per day will be less than usual.

Q: What happens if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
Drivers diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority will receive financial assistance. Detailed information regarding the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy can be found here.

Q: Can handling cash or not wearing gloves be risky in terms of getting the virus?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no evidence that cash is transmitting COVID-19. You are welcome to wear gloves, however WHO suggests regularly washing your bare hands offers more protection against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.

Q. When do I need to sanitise my car?
It is required that you sanitise your vehicle after each and every trip with a surface sanitiser.

Q: During the lockdown where I am allowed to take riders to?
During the national lockdown, you are only allowed to take riders to do the below.
– Rendering or receiving of permitted services; or
– Obtaining permitted goods; or
– Seeking medical attention; or
– Attending funeral services; or
– Receiving payment of grants; or
– Going to work, provided the rider is allowed to do so and has a permit; or
– Any other reason permitted in terms of the Level 3 regulations.

Q: What happens if I can see a rider is sick?
If drivers feel uncomfortable picking up a passenger for safety reasons, they can choose not to accept or cancel the trip. However, it’s against Uber’s Community Guidelines to discriminate against anyone based on their race or national origin.

Q: What do I do if I arrive and more than one person wants to get into the vehicle?
Do not allow more than the stipulated amount of riders in the vehicle. Please explain to the riders the lockdown rules that have been given by the Government.  If a rider persists, please cancel the trip and report feedback through our 24/7 in-app support or call our 24/7 phone line. 

– UberGo, UberX, UberBLACK, UberASSIST, UberVIP – Maximum of 2 passengers
– UberXL – Maximum of  3 passengers
– UberVan – Maximum of  4 passengers

Q: How is Uber supporting the community?
We have set up a number of initiatives that will help us move what matters and assist communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19. We have specifically partnered with:
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Western Cape Department of Health and several NGOs to ease access to medication to the most vulnerable. 
SA Harvest (a food rescue organisation that aims to eradicate food waste) so they can quickly upscale their collection capacity of food from donor communities – ensuring that more food is made available, free of charge for their beneficiary organisations.
More details here.