Uber promised to pay drivers who couldn't work because of the coronavirus. But drivers say Uber has been closing their accounts after they seek sick pay, and then ignoring or rejecting their claims. (UBER)

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

• Uber promised financial assistance to drivers forced off the road by the coronavirus, but even some who appear to meet its strict eligibility criteria have been unable to get the company to pay them.
• Multiple drivers, all of whom have underlying health conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the virus, told Business Insider that Uber had rejected or ignored their requests for sick pay after shutting down their accounts, despite doctor's notes.
• While Uber immediately blocked them from driving, effectively cutting off their income, drivers say the company's response has left them frustrated and out of a paycheck at a time when they need it most.
• "We remain committed to working with drivers and delivery people around the world to help support them. We will continue to advocate for independent workers," Uber said in a statement to Business Insider.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Zachary Frenette has driven for Uber in Phoenix, Arizona, for the past two years, earning "Diamond" status and a 4.96 average rating during that time, while completing more than 4,300 trips in the past year alone. He's also HIV positive, meaning he has a weakened immune system that puts him at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms or dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

On March 18, two of his passengers, both coughing and sneezing, said they had just left a relative's house who had tested positive for the virus. So, Frenette immediately stopped accepting rides and went to his doctor, who wrote him a letter telling him to self quarantine to "limit exposure and potential spread" of the virus. He then submitted that letter to Uber, which deactivated his driver account in an apparent effort to limit his contact with other passengers.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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