●
Uber
will use new technology to verify all drivers are wearing a mask or face
covering before taking a trip in Pakistan, as part of its #MovewithSafety campaign
●
Uber
has allocated $50 million for safety equipment globally, asking both drivers
and riders to take additional safety precautions.
As the government begins to ease off lockdown and
workplaces slowly resume operations, Uber Pakistan’s #MoveWithSafety campaign
aims to educate and raise awareness of the additional safety measures it has
put in, in order to help the app’s users stay safe.
Uber partner drivers in Pakistan will be asked, as part of a new in-app
safety checklist, to verify that they are wearing a mask using their new object
recognition technology. Any driver who is not wearing a mask or a face covering
will not be able to go online. Drivers
can cancel the ride if a rider is not wearing a mask, without incurring a
penalty. Partner drivers will also be asked to confirm if they have taken
additional safety measures, such as regularly sanitising their car and making
hand sanitizers available for their riders. Riders will also be able to cancel
rides, without incurring penalties, if drivers aren’t wearing masks.
Similarly, riders
will be asked whether they have taken necessary safety precautions, like
washing their hands before getting in the car, sitting in the backseat and
opening windows for ventilation. Only two riders per car will be allowed, in
line with government regulations in Sindh and Peshawar, and three riders per
car in Punjab and the Federal Capital.
Globally, Uber is investing $50 million to help
ensure every driver and courier has access to personal protective equipment,
and cleaning and sanitising supplies needed to work more safely on the Uber
app. This includes providing masks to drivers across Pakistan and reimbursing
eligible drivers and couriers for the purchase of a sanitizer or disinfectant
product of their choice up to a maximum amount which is defined for each
country. So far, Uber has provided or reimbursed hand sanitisers, cleaning
sprays and disinfectant wipes to drivers in Pakistan, as well as over 20,000
masks. It is also partnering with Unilever to distribute hygiene kits to drivers and couriers across
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Saad N. Pall, General Manager
at Uber Pakistan said, “At Uber, we put safety at the
heart of everything we do and we believe technology can make travel safer than
ever before. Now, as cities begin to
reopen, we want to ensure that both riders and drivers recognise that they have
a shared responsibility to make travel safer, and enough flexibility to manage
this, while prioritising health and safety. Governments as well as the private
sector across the globe are continually working to assess and adapt a world
post the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to use the scale and influence of our
platform to proactively complement the government’s efforts to help everyone
stay safe and healthy.”
Previously, Uber also announced the launch of
Uber Medics in the UAE and Saudi Arabia as part of its global commitment to
Move What Matters, providing healthcare workers with discounted trips to and
from their workplaces. Additionally, ‘Uber By the Hour’ offers riders with an
hourly ride option, without having to re-request a trip at each location -
strengthening safety, providing additional flexibility for riders and an
additional earnings opportunity for drivers.
Other safety
initiatives announced in light of COVID-19 include:
● New health and hygiene feedback system: Uber is adding new options
for feedback in the app. This includes an option to report if a rider or driver
is wearing a mask or not. Anyone who is repeatedly flagged for violating the
new safety policies risks losing access to Uber’s apps.
● Safety education materials: Working with the World
Health Organization and the latest public health advice, Uber has compiled
safety tips and recommendations specifically geared toward ridesharing. This
will be used to educate riders and drivers on unsafe behavior.
● Financial Compensation: Financial assistance will be provided for
up to 14 days to any driver who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is individually
asked to self-isolate by a public health authority while their account is on
hold.
These new safety measures will stay in effect
until the end of July, when they will be reviewed based on the latest official
health guidance.
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