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 expand our response to COVID-19 with new features for our users, support for those who earn on our platform, and partnerships and initiatives that serve our cities.
Committed to helping
We’re pledging 10 million free rides and deliveries of food for frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need around the world.
Supporting healthcare workers
In some markets, Uber is providing free transportation for frontline healthcare workers, helping them get to and from patients’ homes, as well as between healthcare facilities."
Moving supplies
In markets where Uber Freight operates, shipments of critical goods will be transported with zero profit pricing.
Supporting public authorities
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.
Important information for drivers and delivery people*
- Cleaning supplies for your car
We are working to provide drivers and delivery partners an option to access disinfectants to help them keep their cars clean. Supplies are very limited, so we are prioritizing the resources to drivers and delivery partners in cities with the greatest need*.
- “Leave at door” delivery
In markets that offer Uber Eats, customers have the option to choose how they'd like their orders delivered, including selecting "Leave at door" during checkout.
- Supporting public health authorities
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 or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID‑19. We’re also consulting with an epidemiologist to make sure our efforts as a company are grounded in medical advice.
- Support if you’re taken off the road
Any driver or delivery person* who is diagnosed with COVID‑19 or is individually asked to self‑isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while their account is on hold. We’ve already helped drivers in some affected areas, and we’re working to quickly implement this worldwide.
- In markets that offer Uber Pro, we're protecting your status
The last thing you should have to worry about is losing your Uber Pro status. We are protecting the current Uber Pro status for all drivers for the remainder of this qualifying period.
- Support if you rent a vehicle
If you're in a market that offers vehicle rental services, we have worked with our global rental partners to ensure that any driver diagnosed with COVID‑19 or individually quarantined can return their car with no penalty. In some areas, rental partners will allow no-penalty returns for any driver who wishes to return their rental car.
Health and safety tips
We’re reminding everyone who uses Uber to follow advice from public health authorities. If you’re sick, stay home and away from others. Wash your hands frequently, and cover your cough or sneeze. For more information, visit the World Health Organization website.
Drivers and delivery people*
Most importantly, do not drive or deliver food* if you’re feeling sick
The most important thing you can do right now is to stay home if possible.
This is especially critical if you’re feeling sick. This will help limit the spread of the virus. Let’s help keep drivers safe and ensure that rides are available for those who need them.
If you’re driving
- Cover your mouth and nose. If you sneeze or cough, do so into your elbow or a tissue.
- Ask riders to maintain distance. It’s OK to ask riders to sit in the back to give you more space.
- Open the windows. If possible, roll down the windows to improve ventilation.
If you’re delivering*
- Drop off at the door. If the Uber Eats customer requests it, please leave deliveries at the door to help reduce contact.
- Wash your hands. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as often as you can.
Uber customers
Stay at home, if possible
The most important thing you can do right now is to stay home if possible.
This is especially critical if you’re feeling sick. This will help limit the spread of the virus. Let’s help keep drivers safe and ensure that rides are available for those who need them.
When taking rides
- Wash your hands. Before and after you ride.
- Cover your mouth and nose. If you sneeze or cough, do so into your elbow or a tissue.
- Sit in the back. Give your driver space by sitting in the back seat.
- Open the window. If possible, roll down the window to improve ventilation.
When ordering through Uber Eats*
- Request dropoff at the door. In the app, select “Leave at door” or use delivery notes to share your preferences. Make sure you’ll be available within 30 minutes.
- Wash your hands. Especially after receiving your food order and before you eat it.
Tip your driver and delivery person*
Drivers and delivery people are working extra hard right now, doing critical work to support your community. Please show your appreciation with a tip—a little kindness can go a long way.
You can add a tip to any Uber ride or Uber Eats delivery over the past 30 days. Just go through your account history in the app and select which rides and deliveries you’d like to tip.
Important information for restaurant partners in markets where Uber Eats is available
Guidance on food safety
Based on guidance from public health authorities, restaurants are advised to follow best practices on food safety and packaging. This includes ensuring proper sanitization of surfaces, food handlers, and food preparation environments, and that all food is properly sealed in tamper‑evident packaging.
It is recommended that any locations where delivery people wait for orders are separate from food preparation areas. Restaurants are advised to contact their local public health authority in the event of any suspected coronavirus cases.
Giving delivery options to customers
Uber Eats customers have the option to use delivery notes to communicate how they’d like their orders delivered on Uber Eats. They may include a note like “Please leave my order at the door.”
Delivery people can see these instructions and communicate with customers through the app.
Supporting public health authorities
We have a team available 24/7 to support public health authorities in their response to the pandemic. Working with them, we may temporarily remove restaurants from the Uber Eats app when we receive confirmation of contraction of or exposure to COVID‑19. We’re also consulting with an epidemiologist to make sure our efforts as a company are grounded in medical advice.
Support to the most affected businesses
Because we know that our small businesses have an urgent need, we have waived the Delivery Fee on all Uber Eats orders from more than 100,000 independent restaurants in an effort to drive sales to local favorites.
We have also introduced a new functionality to enable same‑day payouts for any Uber Eats restaurants who request it, to increase cash flow certainty.
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