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 across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Supporting public safety:

  • Supporting public health authorities: Actively working with public health authorities such as the CDC, World Health Organisation, and local health departments and we will continue to follow their guidance to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We may temporarily suspend the accounts of users confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. The guidelines for Public Health Authorities can be found here. 
  • Safety education: We’re displaying in-app messages reminding riders to travel only when necessary and encouraging riders and drivers to take steps to protect themselves. In addition, we’ve compiled safety tips and recommendations specifically geared toward ridesharing and food delivery, in close partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
  • Restaurant Safety: We have been providing restaurants with information on safety precautions when preparing foods as well as reminders to consumers on how to undertake food safety precautions.
  • Social Distancing: We have made recommendations on the app for restaurants to have signposted designated waiting areas, for delivery drivers to collect orders, limiting interaction between themselves and restaurant personnel. 
  • “Leave at door” delivery: We have offered contactless delivery with a new no-contact feature by selecting “leave at door”
  • Mask verification:  Before a driver or delivery person can go online, they will be asked to confirm that they’ve taken certain safety measures and are wearing a mask or face cover. Our new technology will verify if the driver is wearing a mask by asking them to take a selfie. Drivers and riders are also encouraged to cancel trips if they don’t feel safe.
  • Contactless payments: We have introduced Uber Cash, a contactless/cashless payment option, allowing more people to use Uber’s apps, especially those who don’t have cash or cards at hand. This helps ensure you adhere to social distancing measures, as limits physical contact with others.

Supporting healthcare workers and vulnerable populations:

  • 10M free rides and deliveries: Globally we have committed to provide 10 million rides and meal deliveries to healthcare workers, seniors and people in need, free of charge. In South Africa, we are providing meals, medication and rides to various partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and SA Harvest. In addition to this, we are working with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria to feed vulnerable children, while in South Africa we are helping feed communities through partnerships with SA Harvest, a food rescue organisation that aims to eradicate food waste as well as Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation supporting underprivileged communities. 
  • Supporting domestic violence organisations: We are also partnering with domestic violence organisations and local governments in 35 cities across 16 countries to provide 50,000 free rides to shelters and safe spaces and more than 45,000 free meals. We’ve expanded longstanding partnerships and initiated new ones such as Nissa Institute for Women’s Development in Johannesburg. We’re extremely grateful for their tireless efforts to support our communities during this especially difficult time.
  • Supporting healthcare workers: We have launched Uber Medic in South Africa to support frontline workers with discounted rides. We have also partnered with the Ivorian Ministry of Health and SOCIDA, Cote d’Ivoire’s leading automobile distributor, to provide free trips to and from the hospital for health workers. While in Kenya, we have offered discounted trips for healthcare workers at The Nairobi Hospital and Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital as well as supported the National COVID-19 Command Centre staff with free trips.

Supporting our community and the local economy:

Drivers & 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. 
  • Food Relief: In South Africa, together with Afrika Tikkun, we are facilitating e-coupons to drivers and couriers to purchase much-needed food items from their closest Boxer Superstores stores.
  • Creating more work opportunities: We’ve made it easier for drivers to find other work by introducing the Work Hub, featuring earning opportunities on the Uber platform and partners such as the Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) and Brighter Monday. We have accelerated our plans for essential item and convenience deliveries on Uber Eats. We are also pursuing new services to provide on-demand and scheduled delivery solutions to consumers and businesses. 
  • COVID-19 Resources Hub: We’ve launched an in-app COVID-19 Resources Hub for drivers and delivery people, where they can find the latest safety information and other resources for driving and delivering during this unprecedented period. The hub is available globally and is the go-to spot for safety tips, help with applying for financial relief, and information on additional earning opportunities.
  • PPE Supplies: A partnership with YES4Youth, in South Africa, to procure and distribute reusable cloth masks to driver-partners and delivery people. We have also provided masks, sanitisers or reimbursements to drivers across SSA.  

Restaurant partners: 

  • Daily payouts: We’ve introduced daily payouts – restaurants can now request a payment at any point during the week, to support continued cash flow.
  • Express onboarding: As restaurants are required to close their doors, delivery options like ordering through Uber Eats can help them keep their business going. We’ve made it quicker and easier for new restaurants who meet our safety-based criteria to join Uber Eats, reducing wait times to less than 24 hours for sign-ups.
  • Fees: We have offered 0% commission on all pick-up orders.
  • Restaurant donation: We have added a donate button that allows customers to contribute to restaurants affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
  • Free Deliveries: From 1 May to 31 May 2020, we waived the delivery fee for customers on all orders to further drive demand to local restaurants. 
  • Essential products: We have accelerated our plans for essential items and convenience deliveries on Uber Eats and we are also pursuing new services to provide on-demand and scheduled delivery solutions to consumers and businesses
  • Uber Eats desktop assistance: We are making it easier for customers who do not have a smartphone, to order via desktop. 

As a business we will continue to take actions that support delivery people, customers, and our business partners, both large and small.  Working together, we can slow down the spread of the virus and help our communities recover.