Ridesharing companies Ola and Uber have decided to suspend their services in Delhi till March 31 amid the lockdown announced by the state government to contain the spread of coronavirus infection.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, the ridesharing companies said that decision has been taken amid the directive issued by the Central and the state government to contain the spread of coronavirus that has affected more than 300 people in the country.The two companies — which account for a major share of the taxis running in the national capital — had already suspended temporarily their shared rides on their respective platforms.
“Uber is complying with all Central and State Government directives related to its services for containing the spread of Coronavirus,” said Uber in an official statement.
“The company 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,” said Ola in an official statement.
The Delhi government on Sunday said the city will be in lockdown from March 23 to 31, under which no public transport, including private buses, taxis and autorickshaws will be allowed.
“We have decided to impose lockdown in Delhi from 6.00 am from Monday to 12 midnight of 31st March 2020. No public transport services including private buses, autos, e-rickshaws will be allowed during the lockdown period in Delhi. 25 per cent of the DTC bus fleet will continue to ply on roads of Delhi to carry people involved in essential services,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In order to contain coronavirus from spreading, the Central and several state governments have decided to completely lock down 80 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported.
The districts where lockdown was announced include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Delhi will be locked down from 6 am on March 23 and continue till midnight on March 31.
