DoorDash, Grubhub Tell Workers Worried About Coronavirus to Really Wash Their Hands This Time

As the United States energize for the novel coronavirus that has visualize tens of thousands of confirmed cases andmore than 3,000 deathsglobally , gig economic system employer have begun touch their independent contractors about introductory precautionary measures they should take to avoid spreading the virus . So far , these measure have included the same advice wellness official are giving to the universe at great : lave your hand , stay home if you ’re sick , keep off contact with masses who have symptoms .

But one serious world of the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on workers — peculiarly those for whom homo - to - human contact is part of the problem — is that many of them will be queer themselves simply by continuing to execute their job . Symptoms can appearup to two weeksafter someone has been exposed , meaning that a courier or taxi driver could have an interaction with an septic person who merely does n’t bang they ’ve get the virus . That driver could continue to work , spreading disease , for another two weeks before they show symptoms — and so on , and so on .

Some company , like Uber , have urged their couriers not to work if they ’re apprehensive about the risk of coronavirus . But workers still need income , and many will likely stay working despite any hazard to their wellness and the wellness of others by being in constant contact lens with clients and customers . Gizmodo reached out to several obstetrical delivery companionship to ask about how they ’re train bringing proletarian in reply to the eruption . Like Uber , many appear to be winging it .

Photo: Eric BARADAT/AFP (Getty)

Grubhub

In anFAQ on its internet site , Grubhub recommends its workers practice good hygienics and stay home if they feel sick . It also recommends cleaning insulated delivery handbag “ with easy lay and water and/or disinfectant after you are done delivering for the daytime . ” It further suggest workers not to stir a customer ’s delivery order and require restaurants to attach or seal bag contain nutrient .

“ This is obviously a complex and fast - moving situation , ” a Grubhub spokesperson separate Gizmodo . “ We are focused on prioritizing the health and safety of our driver , diners , eatery cooperator and employees during this ambitious meter . We will continue to monitor the state of affairs closely , admit value and analyse the likely shock on our business . ”

( Grubhub own unseamed as well . )

How To Watch French Open Live On A Free Channel

Instacart

Instacart told Gizmodo that it ’s currently sharing data with its shoppers — the terminal figure it utilise for the couriers who pluck up customer order and deliver them — about precautionary measures they should be taking as directed by health authority . As of Tuesday , the companionship said that it remain “ amply operational ” in North America .

“ We ’re actively wreak with local and national authorities to monitor the situation as it unfolds , ” Instacart said in a statement . “ We ’re adhering to recommendations from public health official to ascertain we ’re operating safely with minimal disruption to our service , while also taking the appropriate precautionary metre to keep team , shopper and customers safe . Over the last few days , we ’ve see a surge in client need for buttery items such as powdered Milk River and canned goods , as well as personal care products like hand sanitizer and vitamin . ”

DoorDash

In a written matter of a notice to dashers shared with Gizmodo by the party , DoorDash advised its workers to wash out their hands for “ at least 20 seconds each time , ” or apply manus sanitizer that contains 60 percent alcoholic drink . Additionally , the fellowship told workers to cough and sneeze into their human elbow or a tissue , keep their raging bag and vehicle clean , and stay home if they feel grim .

“ The safety and health of our community of employee , merchants , and Dashers is always our top priority , ” a spokesperson for the fellowship enounce in a argument . “ We are closely monitoring this situation and have shared the CDC guidelines with Dashers and merchants . We will stay in close contact with them as we learn more . ”

Caviar

Likewise , DoorDash ’s recently acquired upscale dining delivery service Caviar has issueddirectives to employeeson its messenger portal site . That page — about identical to one also posted by DoorDash on itsdasher site — was dated Tuesday , March 3 .

Postmates

In a statement to Gizmodo , a spokesperson said that Postmates has “ shared precautional CDC guidance with those carrying out saving so that they are cognizant of CDC guidance ; and we will continue to boost employee , merchants , consumer , and everyone to follow preventative measuring rod such as laundry hand and staying in if you are sick . While we are operating with line as usual , we will go on to entropy portion as CDC direction evolves . ”

Despite the counseling that workers should delay home if they ’re sick , the throughline here is that rescue companies are pushing on , business as usual , even as the number ofconfirmed casesin the United States continues to spring up . It will likely continue that agency until they have a undecomposed enough reason not to . But none of the company reach offer up up any stately program to address the impact that ceasing study will have on these contractile organ , independent of whether they ’re using their earnings as primary or supplemental income .

It ’s a sobering admonisher of the oversight in the gig saving that forget these workers maroon by their employers when things get jolty . It ’s also a substantial indication that no one is fully train for the potential impacts of the outbreak — not these businesses , not consumer , and certainly not the workers who swear on these jobs to survive .

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.