Uber announces additional financial support as COVID-19 relief for drivers

Uber today announced an additional financial support program for its drivers diagnosed with COVID-19. This comes in addition to the 18.5 crore driver vaccination initiative that began in April. The company states that drivers who will furnish a positive RT PCR test from an accredited lab will receive a one-time payout of up to INR 6,800 in partial earnings support for 14 days; depending upon their city of residence and engagement on the platform. Uber is communicating this initiative to drivers via in-app messages and awareness videos.

Further, COVID-positive drivers will not have the access to the platform while they’re receiving partial earnings support. This move aims to ensure the safety of users and help limit the spread of the virus. In the unfortunate event of a driver succumbing to COVID-19, Uber will provide a one-time support package worth INR 75,000. The package only aims to help meet the immediate needs of surviving family members.

Speaking about the support initiative, Pavan Vaish, Head of Supply & Driver Operations, Uber India South Asia, said, “Since the onset of the pandemic, Uber drivers have shown themselves to be essential workers; helping India and its people get through the crisis. We are pleased to be able to offer drivers who contract the virus partial earnings support while they recuperate at home. Alongside our driver vaccination program, this will help Indian authorities to break COVID-19’s transmission chain.”

Other initiatives from Uber

Last month, Uber announced an initiative to vaccinate 150,000 drivers on its platform over the next six months. It will also compensate them for the time they spend on getting their shots. Drivers with valid digital vaccination certificates will be eligible for INR 400 for each of their two shots. Since the early days of the pandemic, Uber has been providing financial assistance to COVID positive drivers. Alternately, it has also helped drivers that a Public Health Authority has advised to self-isolate. This year alone, the ride-hailing platform has facilitated 9,000 free online medical consultations for drivers and their families through MediBuddy.