What Coronavirus Means For Delivery Couriers

What's next for delivery couriers?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the way our cities do business. With increasing restrictions on gatherings and work. But delivery couriers are more in demand than ever in order to keep our cities running.

What does Coronavirus mean for you, and what can you expect over the next few weeks and months?

What should I do?

You should keep working. If you follow advice, take precautions and stay healthy there are lots of deliveries to be made, a chance for you to make money and way to contribute positively to our city’s management of this challenge. Movement of goods is the lifeblood of our cities and we are here to help you carry on that critical task.

What precautions should I take?

To make sure you minimise the risk of contracting the virus follow these 5 rules

1. Wash your hands frequently. Soap is the best way to kill viruses – even better than hand sanitiser!
2. Maintain your distance – make sure you are more than 3 feet away from someone who is coughing and sneezing
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth – this is the most common way for the virus to get in to your system
4. Cover your own mouth if you cough ideally with your elbow, not your hand- or even better pick up a face mask and protect the public from your own coughing and sneezing
5. Seek medical attention if you have the main symptoms (fever, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath), read our blog on What Should I Do If I Get Sick.

What’s Zoomo Doing?

We’re still here and committed to maintain our services to you. Our online customer service team will continue to support you and answer any of your questions and our workshop hours will not change under the current government guidance, though you may need to travel to a different Zoomo shop to the one you are used to in order to get a service straight away. Continue to book services through our website.

We have asked our staff not to shake hands, and to stay 2meters away from other people. You might also see some of us wearing masks. We are asking that customers keep a safe distance (2 meters) away from our mechanic team where possible. Don’t be alarmed, we are just trying to limit contact to be safe and stay healthy.

Even more so than usual bookings are essential to guarantee we can service you. If you need advice or assistance, you can always get in touch – we’re here to help.

To help keep you on the road Zoomo has launched a new jobs board that will help connect riders looking for work with local businesses who are looking for delivery couriers. As a Zoomo rider, you will get priority access to these jobs through Zoomo Jobs.

We have regular resources coming out for you, so that you’re always kept up to date on what is happening and how you can do your job and stay safe. You can see our recent blogs here

What’s the government doing?

World leaders have all responded to Coronavirus, and taken steps to keep people safe and healthy. Recently the Australian government banned meeting outside in groups larger than 2, and people are encouraged to stay at home if they have symptoms. In most cities, non essential travel and services are being restricted, but the movement of goods around our cities is critical during this period and we are seeing governments encouraging delivery to people’s houses. Delivery couriers are still allowed to work, and many people are depending on the service you provide.

You can find helpful resources here:

• San Francisco
• UK
• Australia

Information from the Advice from World Health Organisation here

What are food delivery companies doing?

Delivery companies like Uber Eats and Postmates are still operating all over the city. Whilst some people are ordering less food due to uncertainty around Coronavirus, even more people are at home right now and ordering food. It is now the city needs food couriers more than ever. Demand is only expected to increase, as transport and shopping options are limited.

Some delivery companies are going one step further and offering financial assistance to those riders who get sick on the job:

DoorDash recently announced a new COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program. Dashers in the US and Australia could qualify for up to two weeks of financial assistance if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 or put under quarantine individually by a public health agency.

Find out more

Deliveroo have launched a fund to support their riders. Riders who are diagnosed with Coronavirus and find that they are unable to work are eligible for financial support. As well as working to provide free hand sanitisers and masks (plus refunding riders for hand sanitisers they have already bought).

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