COVID-19: Ola, Uber services to remain suspended in Delhi till March 31 amid lockdown

Amid the aggravating crisis due to the deadly COVID-19 in India, Ola and Uber, the country’s two leading app-based taxi services, have suspended all their services in Delhi till 31 March.

This move comes in the wake of lockdown announced by the government. Th e Delhi government made an announcement on Sunday that the city will be in lockdown from March 23 to 31, during which no public transport, including taxis, private buses, and autorickshaws will not be allowed to ply on the roads. In response to a query, an Uber spokesperson stated, “Uber is complying with all Central and State Government directives related to services for containing the spread of Coronavirus.” Referring to this, an Ola spokesperson mentioned that suspension of their cab services will enable a minimal network of vehicles to support essential services in cities, wherever applicable, as part of this national effort to reduce the contagion of COVID-19.


Earlier, both the companies had suspended their shared rides temporarily on their respective platform to contain the spread of the virus.
80 cities across India,where Coronavirus cases have been reported, have been completely locked down, and both central and state governments decided to take this step to fight against any further spread of the virus. Further, to contain the spread of COVID-19, it was also agreed that there was an urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport.

Further, as per latest reports, the city's borders have been sealed amid the lockdown; however, services related to food, health, water and power supply will continue, whereas 25 per cent of DTC buses will be plying on the roads to transport people associated with essential services.