Ride-hailing company, Uber, on Thursday said the company was helping Coronavirus infected drivers and delivery people financially.
Mr. Efosa Aiyevbomwan, Head of Communications, West Africa, Uber made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to Aiyevbomwan, any driver or the delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID‑19 or is individually asked for self‑isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while his account is on hold.
He said that Uber had already helped drivers in some affected areas of the world and working to quickly implement this worldwide.
According to him, Uber may temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID‑19.
”We are helping to keep cars clean by working to provide drivers with disinfectants to help them keep their cars clean.
”The safety and well‑being of everyone who uses Uber is always our priority, as much as supporting public health authorities.
”Our company is actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID‑19) and taking steps to help keep the communities safe,” he said.
Aiyevbomwan said that there was a team available for 24 hours, seven days, to support public health authorities in their response to the epidemic.
He said that the company was also consulting with an epidemiologist to make sure that its effort as a company was grounded in medical advice.
The Communication Officer said that upholding Community Guidelines was important in the company as there had been reports of discrimination linked to the current situation.
”This is never okay, every rider or driver is expected to follow the Uber Community Guidelines, which clearly prohibit discrimination,” Aiyevbomwan stated.
He, however, reminded everyone who uses Uber to follow advice from public health authorities which is ”if you are sick, stay home and away from others, wash your hands frequently and cover your cough or sneeze.”
Aiyevbomwan also said that the company was working to provide drivers with disinfectants to help keep the car clean and would prioritize the distribution of such to drivers in cities with the greatest need.