Uber Freight coronavirus (Covid-19) FAQ

The freight industry plays a vital role in daily life, and that’s never more apparent than in times like these. Below we have answered questions that carriers and shippers may have as we move through this challenging time.

General

Will Uber Freight maintain operations? 

Yes. We continue our mission to serve carriers and shippers and have no plans to cease operations. As needed, we will take action based on guidance from public health organizations.

Will shelter-in-place advisories affect Uber Freight operations?

No. Our booking and operating platforms are entirely cloud-based, so all work can be performed remotely. The Uber Freight team is already successfully working from home.  

How does Uber Freight determine its coronavirus policies?

Uber has convened a company-wide Steering Committee, is working with public health organizations, and is consulting an epidemiologist to shape company-wide policies in an informed, reasonable, and effective manner. We have also strengthened our work-from-home policies to help flatten the curve of community spread and instituted response protocols to prioritize our employees’ health while continuing operations.

For carriers

What precautions should carriers and their drivers take? 

In addition to COVID-19 guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization, we also emailed the following prevention tips to carriers:

• Remain in the cab as much as possible during pickups and deliveries
• Wear gloves when handling objects touched by multiple people, such as door handles and diesel pumps
• Wash hands thoroughly before touching personal objects, such as a phone or steering wheel
• Check the rate-con and in-app load notes for any shipper-specific guidelines

What testing measures have facilities adopted in response to COVID-19?

Customers have provided Uber Freight with a broad range of instructions for each of their facilities. In turn, Uber Freight has promptly notified carriers of these various protocols, including:

• Changes to check-in
• Bathroom access procedures
• No-touch forehead-based temperature checks
• Increased frequency of common-area cleaning (such as restrooms)
• Enforcement of social distancing requirements (6-foot rule for anyone at the facility)
• Health and travel questionnaires for drivers entering facilities

How do carriers qualify for an Uber Eats credit?

To qualify for an Uber Eats credit each week, carriers must book and successfully deliver at least one load in the US using the Uber Freight app for that corresponding week. The offer will be valid for loads completed through Monday, June 1, 2020 and limited to one promo code per week per driver.

How are Uber Eats credits being distributed?
Every week, we will send an email with a unique promo code to each driver who has completed at least one load through the Uber Freight app that week. The promo code will be emailed within 7 days of the load delivery date. We will be delivering one code per week per driver.

How can carriers obtain cleaning spray?

Uber Freight will reach out directly by email to carriers who will be receiving cleaning spray. Carriers will be asked to provide a current mailing address where they would like to receive the supplies.*

How is Uber Freight determining which carriers receive cleaning spray?

We will be mailing cleaning spray to US-based small carriers (12 or fewer drivers) who have moved at least 12 loads with Uber Freight in the last 3 months. Additional supplies will be distributed to  US-based carriers with the greatest need in our broader base.*

Where can carriers find out if a load is a relief load?

In the load information, visible on each load on the Uber Freight platform, Uber Freight will note any shipper-designated relief loads that are eligible for hours-of-service regulatory relief as determined under guidance provided by the FMCSA here. This information will also be listed in the rate confirmation. 

How can I get access to free coronavirus telehealth assessments?

Uber is partnering with Ro—a patient-driven telehealth company—to share their free Coronavirus Telehealth Assessment.** To use Ro’s services, visit the Ro + Uber info page and take Ro’s confidential 10-minute online assessment regarding your current symptoms and medical history. Please note that while ID verification is required, this assessment is entirely confidential. Uber will not receive any personal information about your health or symptoms and will not know whether or not you received help from Ro. Depending on your assessment results, Ro will either direct you to additional resources or connect you to a medical provider for a consultation. The medical provider will recommend next steps.

For shippers

Are fewer carriers working in response to the coronavirus?

At this time, our ability to source capacity remains strong.

How does FMCSA define a relief load?

Broadly, the FMCSA’s definition of a relief load pertains to food, water, medical equipment, or sanitation supplies being transported in relation to emergency relief. For more details, please consult the guidance provided by the FMCSA here.

How is Uber Freight identifying relief loads? 

Emergency relief loads will be identified by shippers and not by Uber Freight. After building an emergency relief load, shippers should email shipper-support@uber.com with the Uber Freight reference number to let us know that the load is a COVID-19 relief load.*

By doing this, the shipper confirms that the shipment qualifies as a relief load under the FMCSA Emergency Declaration and that Uber Freight can pass along the shipper’s identification of the shipment as an FMCSA relief load to the servicing motor carrier.*

For more information please reach out to our team at Freight-C19@uber.com with any specific requests or questions about policy changes pertaining to COVID-19. 

*Terms and conditions apply. For the complete terms and conditions for relief loads, the Uber Eats promo, and/or sanitization supplies, please see here.

**Ro is a third party, and Uber is not responsible for third-party offers, products, and/or services. Uber will not receive any personal information about your health or symptoms and will not know whether or not you received help from Ro. Ro’s services are not intended to provide diagnosis or direct care—telemedicine providers cannot diagnose COVID-19 themselves—but rather to help triage patients by giving them access to licensed providers online. We are sharing this information with carriers on the Uber Freight platform.