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.
For our entire community.
Follow proven CDC guidelines regarding 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.
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 3ft. apart
- FEEL sick? 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 amazing services we make possible, we’re always listening to and learning from you, the Postmates community.
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For the Postmates Fleet
Postmates Fleet Relief Fund
Earlier this week, we launched the Postmates Fleet Relief Fund, which aids our Postmates in covering the costs of co-pays or medical expenses related to COVID-19, regardless of diagnosis. Additionally, in the event a fleet member tests positive for Covid-19 or is asked by a doctor to quarantine themselves, the fund can be used to cover 2-weeks paid sick leave.
Non-Contact Delivery
We recently introduced non-contact deliveries, which allows for distancing between 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 → Help Center]
For our Merchant Partners
Small Business Relief Pilot
We have unveiled a 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. Any interested SF-Bay Area merchant can visit https://postmates.com/partner to establish an account, and start delivering without any additional cost during this pilot. We are also in conversations with restaurant associations and city governments around the country to assess how to build on this and support our local restaurant corridors.
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 → Help Center]
For our Customers
Non-Contact Dropoff
We recently 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 → Help Center]
Additional Questions You May Have
Is it safe to order Postmates?
By following CDC-issued guidelines, we can all help keep the Postmates platform safe for everyone.
What if I think my food is contaminated?
If you believe that your order has been contaminated, please dispose of it immediately and report it to our team via the help center.
What if my Postmate appears ill?
If the Postmate who delivered your order appears ill, please dispose of your order immediately and report it to our team. We will take necessary action to prevent this from happening to others in our community.
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 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.
- For California Fleet, the Postmates CEO urged the Governor to stand-up drive-through testing locations. As of Friday, March 13th Kaiser announced that they will be able to test Fleet for Covid-19, if you meet the CDC’s criteria for symptoms — while the courier remains in the car.
- 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.
