Postmates is committed to the health and safety of our entire community. As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be a serious public health challenge affecting communities around the world, Postmates has taken actions, in consultation with the CDC, lawmakers, and public health officials, to provide couriers, merchants and our customers with additional resources for managing the potential consequences of the outbreak.
We understand that you may have a lot of questions. We’re doing our best to be good stewards in these uncertain times and are taking steps to ensure your wellness is prioritized. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please visit our Help Center.
For our entire community.
Do these five simple things from the World Health Organization to help stop coronavirus. Just remember to do the Five.
- HANDS Wash them often
- ELBOW Cough into it
- FACE Don’t touch it
- FEET Stay more than 6ft. apart
- FEEL sick? Stay home
Follow proven CDC guidelines around hygiene.
Frequently wash your hands using soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and avoid touching your face with your hands. If you feel ill, stay home.
Educate yourself.
The CDC and WHO are great resources for those with questions around COVID-19. Both organizations are trusted and continue to update their sites with new and relevant information.
Community Guidelines.
We prioritize the wellbeing of our entire community, and from day one, Postmates has built safety and security into our product design and network operations. While our specific policies evolve alongside the on-demand services we make possible, we’re always listening to and learning from you, the Postmates community.
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For our Postmates Fleet
We launched the Postmates Fleet Relief Fund to help our fleet cover medical expenses related to COVID-19, regardless of diagnosis. Additionally, active members of the fleet who receive a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 or who are required to self-quarantine based on infection may be eligible to access additional funds to offset up to 2-weeks of lost income while they recover. We want you to stay safe, and we are monitoring the situation in real time because the scope of the pandemic and our national response is constantly evolving. How we help may change the further we go along, and Postmates reserves the right to amend at any time, with or without notice, our policies regarding the FRF, including availability, eligibility, and benefits provided.
Non-Contact Delivery
We introduced non-contact deliveries, which allows for distancing betweens our customers and Postmates.
Preventing Community Transmission.
If a member of the fleet notifies us that they’ve tested positive for COVID-19, we will place their account on a temporary hold until they’re able to confirm the virus has passed through the incubation period.
CDC Guidance
CDC approved best practices are easily accessible at all times within the Newsroom section of the Fleet app.
[learn more → HC]
For our Merchant Partners
Small Business Relief Pilot
We have extended our pilot program for small businesses to more easily use our platform. In a time where brick and mortar business owners are seeing a decline in foot traffic, this program will temporarily waive commission fees for businesses in the SF Bay Area, LA, Sacramento and Detroit . Restaurants and businesses can visit https://postmates.com/partner to establish an account, and start delivering without any additional cost during this pilot.
If your city is interested in exploring a similar pilot please reach out to askpmpublicpolicy@postmates.com.
CDC Guidance
We continue to recommend per CDC guidelines that if anyone working at any business during this time is experiencing symptoms to stay home and refrain from food preparation.
[learn more → HC]
For our Customers
Non-Contact Dropoff
We have introduced non-contact deliveries, which allows customers to specify where they would like their order to be left (for instance, on their doorstep or in their building’s lobby). Customers can always access this option when placing an order under “Delivery Options”.
CDC Guidance
We continue to recommend, per CDC guidelines, that you should limit contact with others, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
[learn more → HC]
Additional Questions You May Have
Is it safe to order Postmates?
Governments across the US have deemed Postmates an essential service. By following CDC-issued guidelines, we can all help keep the Postmates platform safe for everyone.
What if I think my food is contaminated?
Our restaurant partners and fleet are all taking extra care during this time to ensure your food is delivered quickly and safely. If you have an issue with your order, please simply reach out, we’re here to help.
What if my Postmate appears ill?
We have been in regular contact with our fleet right across the country during this period to ensure they stay up to date with advice from the CDC. This includes staying at home if you’re not well. We also have a fleet relief fund to ensure people who deliver for Postmates are able to get paid for two weeks while they stay at home and get better. So there’s no reason a member of our fleet should be delivering items if they’re unwell. If, for any reason, you have concerns about your delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’re here to help.
What steps can I take to prevent an illness as a fleet member?
- The Postmates Fleet Relief Fund is designed for those to seek preventative care, check-ups, testing and medical expenses.
- Importantly you should heed the CDC’s common sense guidance to ensure you are remaining safe and taking precautionary measures.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Should I wear a facemask?
- If you are sick: You should stay at home and wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
What Steps Should I take if I’m Sick?
- Reach out to a healthcare professional or your doctor immediately
- The Postmates Fleet Relief Fund is designed to help with preventative care, check-ups, testing and medical expenses.
- Most importantly you should heed the CDC’s common sense guidance to ensure you are remaining safe and taking precautionary measures.
- Stay home except to get medical care: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
- Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxi
- Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Avoid public transportation;
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
We expect the situation to evolve in the coming days and weeks, and we will adjust our plan as necessary, keeping you in the loop along the way. By coming together and following trusted guidelines and recommendations, we can all play an important part in keeping our Postmates community healthy and safe.
