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Our approach to COVID-19

The safety and well-being of everyone who uses Uber is at the heart of what we do. We’re continuing to assess our response to COVID-19 as our cities open up and the situation changes.

Supporting drivers

Alternative earnings opportunities

We partnered with third parties such as Ocado and Adecco to provide alternative earnings opportunities during these difficult times, and we continue to work on further partnerships.

Lowering fixed costs

We worked with vehicle vendors including Otto, Drover and WeFlex to lower driver vehicle payments during the COVID-19 crisis. We also worked with vehicle insurance providers to lower the fixed cost of vehicle insurance. If you are a driver, you can learn more here.

Free rides for the NHS and Uber Medics

We covered 300,000 free rides and meals for NHS staff, and launched Uber Medics, a new service designed to allow drivers to opt in to support frontline staff during a time when non-essential travel was restricted. If you are an NHS or Care Home worker, or a driver, you can learn more here.

Educating riders

Before every trip we continue to ask riders to make sure they sanitise their hands before entering vehicles, sit in the back, open the window to improve ventilation, and to cover their mouth if they cough or sneeze.

Committed to helping

Globally, we pledged 10 million free rides and deliveries of food for frontline healthcare workers, seniors and people in need around the world.

Uber Medics

Many drivers asked us how they could provide help to those who needed it during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we launched Uber Medics – a new product in the Uber app which provided 25% cheaper rides to NHS staff and care home organisations until mid-July.¹ Uber does not make any money from these trips, and drivers received the same fares on Uber Medics trips as normal Uber trips.²

Helping restaurants focus on food, not finances

We know that fixed costs for our restaurant partners remain constant, putting their finances front-and-centre. To help to create a more reliable and immediate source of cash flow, even in uncertain times, we rolled out a new payment option for restaurants. This new feature allowed restaurants of all sizes to opt into daily payments on all Uber Eats orders, rather than the typical weekly billing cycle.

Supporting the NHS

The safety and well‑being of everyone who uses Uber is always our priority. We are committed to supporting public authorities and cities as they work to stem the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Health and safety guidance

We’re reminding everyone who uses Uber to follow advice from the NHS. Wash your hands frequently, and cover your cough or sneeze. For more information, refer to the NHS guidelines.

Other important resources

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*In markets where Uber Eats is available.

¹ T&Cs apply

² This is because Uber is paying 25% of the fare on the rider’s behalf.