Ride hailing company Uber has announced that it will offer drivers and delivery people 14 days of paid sick leave if diagnosed with coronavirus or placed in quarantine.
Uber is offering up to 14 days of paid sick leave to its drivers and delivery people if they fell ill with coronavirus or are subjected to quarantine.
The move is considered a change in policy for the company, which treats its workers as independent contractors not eligible for benefits.
In a statement released on Saturday, Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of Rides and Platform, said: "We are supporting drivers and delivery people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine by a public health authority."
"Drivers and delivery people in these situations will receive compensation for a period of up to 14 days. This has already begun in some markets and we are working to implement mechanisms to do this worldwide. We believe this is the right thing to do," he explained.
The change in policy comes amidst the growing number of coronavirus cases globally, which has exceeded 100,000 and is increasing in the US. However, Uber did not specify the amount it is willing to pay workers eligible for the sick leave.
Drivers and delivery personnel are considered to be in the front lines of the outbreak as people avoid public transit and rely on deliveries instead of eating at restaurants or buying at stores. In the US, these workers do not have paid sick leave.
Companies such as Uber and Lyft previously sent out guidance that encouraged washing hands and sanitizing vehicles and have committed specific teams to address the issue.
Meanwhile, Lyft has also stated that it "will provide funds to drivers should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 or put under individual quarantine by a public health agency." However, it also did not specify the amount involved.
