Uber available in South Africa but during restricted hours for national lockdown
26 March 2020 / South Africa
As announced by Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula on 25 March 2020, e-hailing services in South Africa such as Uber are authorised to operate daily for all riders under restricted hours from 5am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm and for permitted travel purposes only, during the National lockdown.
The health and safety of our community comes first, and we will do our best to support our riders, drivers and essential staff during these unprecedented times. In order for us to comply with these restrictions around limited movement, we will be managing supply and demand accordingly, and will continue to work with the Department of Transport.
Regulatory Guidelines
- Uber app will only be available during the national government’s restricted operating hours
- Traveling is restricted for obtaining an essential good or service or for rendering an essential service or for any other permitted purpose listed below
- Limitations on passengers
- UberX, UberGO, UberBLACK, UberASSIST, UberVIP – Maximum of 1 passenger
- UberXL – Maximum of 2 passengers
- UberVan – Maximum of 3 passengers
- We request that you sit in the back seat of the vehicle
- Please note it is iIllegal to transport any alcoholic beverages in your vehicles during the lockdown period
Regulations
E-hailing services will be allowed to operate where it is for the:
- rendering or receiving of essential services; or
- obtaining essential goods; or
- seeking medical attention; or
- attending funeral services; or
- receiving payment of grants.
Extra Tips
- There will be no dynamic pricing (surge) during the lockdown period.
- This is a difficult time for driver-partners, they would appreciate a tip 🙂
Steps We Have Taken
- Uber has introduced safety recommendations within the app to help raise awareness about suggested travel restrictions and social distancing with “travel only if necessary” in app messaging.
- Uber is providing safety information to drivers and riders in line with public health authorities guidance. This includes messages in-app, and on social media channels.
- We have a team available 24/7 to support public health authorities in their response to the pandemic. Working with them, we may temporarily suspend the accounts of riders and drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID‑19.
- Drivers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for a period of up to 14 days.
We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we are working with the relevant health authorities to understand the latest safety guidance regarding transport. We will keep you informed of any updates as the situation develops and our support team remains available via our 24/7 support channels.
Posted by kate owen
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