Uber has informed its riders and drivers on Wednesday that the company may temporarily put on hold the accounts of anyone who has contracted the coronavirus or have had exposure to it.
The ride-sharing firm which has already initiated measures in some of its affected operations, disclosed that it formed a group working round-the-clock to aid health authorities in their containment of the disease, which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic, Wednesday.
The ride-hailing and food-delivery company said it is consulting with an epidemiologist to make sure the efforts it has carried out are "grounded in expert medical advice."
According to Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi, the have a team "available 24/7" to support public health authorities in their management of the virus.
Andrew MacDonald, Uber senior vice president, added the ride-hailing leader is implementing a paid sick leave policy for all its drivers globally.
MacDonald stressed that drivers will be qualified to avail of sick leave pay upon providing documents that will prove they have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, placed under quarantine, advised to self-isolate, or have been delisted off Uber's drivers' app for 14 days at the determination of a public health agency.
Uber pointed out that it would provide financial assistance for 14 days to suspended cab and delivery drivers. The company did not issue any further information and it wasn't clear that its financial support would directly match lost profits. The company treats its drivers as contractors rather than regular workers, meaning they are not covered by sick pay and other benefits.
This is not the first time Uber has made public the suspension of drivers and riders exposed to or infected with the coronavirus. Last month, it suspended 240 user accounts in Mexico who may have had exposure to the virus, or came in contact with someone infected with it.
Uber is also helping drivers keep their vehicles sanitized, and although disinfectant supplies have slowly become scarce, Uber said it is collaborating with manufacturers to get as much sanitizers as it can. When obtained, Uber will distribute those disinfectants to areas where the need is urgent.
The pandemic underscored the precariousness of gig economy staff, like Uber drivers. In the United Kingdom, policymakers called on the company and its competitor Ola to offer sick pay and other contractual rights, as well as extra allowance to any driver found positive with the virus.
Meanwhile, as the pandemic grows, many people are trying to limit their exposure by ordering food for delivery rather than going out to restaurants or grocery shops. Uber has notified clients of its Uber Eats service that they can add a message through the app asking the driver to leave their order at the door, preventing them to make any close contact.
