Drivers of third-party delivery app Uber Eats have said they are struggling after Jacinda Ardern publicly encouraged Kiwis to use delivery directly from restaurants.
Drivers have said that despite the Uber Eats app resuming on Tuesday 28th April they had barely noticed a difference in business from Level 4, with fewer delivery orders coming through the app.
Drivers were finding it unsustainable at the moment, even with fast food giants such as McDonald’s and Burger King using the platform, long drive-thru queues meant drivers were making less an hour.
One driver commented that unfortunately when the government said don't use Uber Eats they clearly weren't thinking about the actual drivers that also need to make a living.
Uber has said it is providing financial assistance for drivers diagnosed with COVID-19, or personally placed in quarantine by a public health authority due to risk of spreading the virus and that it was reimbursing drivers taking frequent trips on the platform up to $20 for the purchase of hand sanitiser and car disinfectant.
