Uber to ‘suspend accounts of coronavirus-exposed drivers and users’
UBER is to freeze the accounts of all drivers and passengers directly affected by the deadly coronavirus pandemic, reports say.
The firm will suspend services to all those struck down by the killer virus, and to those who may have been exposed to it.
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The company said it now has a team working around-the-clock to support public health authorities in their response to the outbreak.
"We have a dedicated global team, guided by the advice of a consulting public health expert, working to respond in every market where we operate around the world," Uber said.
All suspensions would come at the request of public health officials,
In a leaked internal email, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company would compensate drivers and delivery workers whose accounts are suspended.
The global firm is also giving disinfectants to drivers, according to the email, and allowing Uber Eats users to direct delivery people to leave orders at the door.
Uber last month suspended 240 accounts of users in Mexico who may recently have come in contact with someone possibly infected with the new coronavirus.
"We've already helped drivers in some affected areas, and we're working to quickly implement this worldwide," the company said.
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Uber also said it was working on providing drivers with disinfectants to keep their cars clean, talking to manufacturers to source limited supplies.
It said it would prioritize the distribution of disinfectants in those hard-hit cities with the greatest need.
Meanwhile Uber bosses have advised office employees based in the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, or South Korea work from home through April 6.