Uber offers drivers 14 days of sick leave if they become ill with coronavirus. This is a change in policy for Uber, which largely considers employees as independent contractors who are not eligible for benefits.

"We support drivers and deliverers who have COVID-19 diagnosed or quarantined by a public health agency," said Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of Rides and Platform, in a statement on Saturday. 

Drivers and deliverers in these situations receive compensation for a maximum period of 14 days. The policy change is because coronavirus cases exceed 100.000 worldwide and continue to rise in the United States. 

People who give rides, or who deliver groceries or restaurant orders to gig economy companies, can be on the front lines because people avoid public transportation and rely on deliveries instead of visiting restaurants and shops. In the United States, these workers often do not pay sick leave.

Also read: Taxi drivers Uber are driving badly but are not getting around

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