The latest on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We’re committed to the safety and well-being of our community. As we monitor the COVID-19 situation, we are taking active steps to ensure the safety and well-being of customers, Dashers and the local businesses and communities impacted.

Mask Policy

In order to protect the safety of all users of the DoorDash and Caviar platforms, as of August 31, all Dashers, Merchants, and Customers who use DoorDash and/or Caviar must wear a face covering or mask while they are interacting with other platform users. This includes while deliveries are handed off from Merchants to Dashers or to Customers, and while deliveries are handed off from Dashers to Customers.

Face covering can be made of cloth, should cover your face from the bridge of your nose down to your chin, and be secured to your face. Surgical masks or N95 respirators are not required.

DoorDash is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its community during this critical time in public health. Scroll down to learn more about what else we’re doing to promote the well-being of all of our users.

Resource Center

This resource center outlines the actions we’re taking to promote the health and safety of all of the communities on our platform as well as the actions we’re taking to support local businesses and communities. We’ve also included health and safety guidance from health officials.

How we’re promoting safety across our platform

For Merchants

Providing access to critical tools and resources

We’re supporting Merchants around the country through small business grants, discounted equipment and supplies — including PPE and better access to PPP loans. We’re also providing guidance on food safety and no-contact handoffs at order pickup.

For Dashers

Supporting Dashers in prevention & recovery

We are shipping more than 1 million sets of free hand sanitizer and gloves to Dashers and are providing guidance to help Dashers stay safe and healthy. We are also providing up to two weeks of financial assistance for eligible Dashers in the United States (including Puerto Rico), Australia, and Canada who are quarantined or diagnosed with COVID-19.

Additional information

Dashers can find additional information about navigating COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout at our COVID-19 Resource Center for Dashers found here.

For Customers

Defaulting to no-contact deliveries

We introduced an update to DoorDash on the web, iOS, and Android that makes no-contact delivery the new default setting for orders. At checkout, customers will see “Leave it at my door” as the default drop-off option and can leave additional instructions, such as apartment number or a specific location, to help the Dasher complete the delivery. Customers will be reminded upon order arrival to wear a mask if they do need to meet their Dasher in-person to receive their delivery.

Protecting our community

When we become aware of a potential COVID case, we first confirm the validity, and if valid, we inform local public health officials. Working with those officials, we will take the necessary precautions to inform those who have been potentially impacted.

How we’re supporting local businesses

Local restaurant grants in select markets

Local restaurants with three or less locations can apply until February 17 to our new grant program. If selected, restaurants will receive a $5,000 grant from DoorDash to help with operating costs during this challenging time, including rent, payroll, purchasing PPE, expanding outdoor dining capacity, and other expenses.

Discounts on equipment and supplies

We’re making critical equipment and supplies like heaters, tents, masks, winter clothing, and more available at cost through the DoorDash store.

Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans

In January, Congress and the President passed a COVID relief bill which includes small business loans through the Payment Protection Program (PPP). We’ve partnered with BlueVine, a lender focused on small businesses, to help small businesses access PPP loans. You can apply for a PPP loan through BlueVine through their online application and find answers to common questions here.

How we’re supporting communities

Delivering vital food and supplies to vulnerable community members

The past year has brought extraordinary challenges, including an increase in food insecurity. As a result of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders, we have seen a huge need for provisions of food and supplies to seniors, the immunocompromised, and families facing food insecurity or transportation barriers.

Through Project DASH and with the help of our Dasher community, we are grateful to be able to empower community organizations — such as food banks, food pantries, schools, and senior centers — to increase access in their communities. Project DASH leverages the DoorDash Drive platform to enable government and nonprofit partners with last-mile delivery capabilities.

In addition to surplus food, food pantry boxes, and prepared meals, Dashers have delivered school supplies, mental health kits, home essentials, holiday items, and more. As we continue to expand the reach of Project DASH, we are proud to share that we worked with our social impact partners and our community of Dashers to connect an estimated 6.5 million meals to food insecure and vulnerable populations in 2020.

We invite organizations who are interested in working with us this year to expand their existing delivery efforts or brainstorm how delivery could enhance their programs to contact the Project DASH team.

Providing community credits

Throughout the pandemic, our society has been forced to reimagine our approach to how we work, interact and connect with one another. Organizations that used to run in-person programming are now considering last mile delivery as an essential way to empower their work to support those in need. Additionally, organizations have increasingly turned to virtual modes. As a part of this evolution, we are excited to announce DoorDash Community Credits, which provides awards of DoorDash gift cards to nonprofits. We know that having access to meals, essentials, and other items can make a difference for these groups as they work to create greater access and equity for their communities. Organizations in the U.S., Canada and Australia who would like to participate can start by completing this form to be considered for a donation.

General health & safety information

We’re monitoring information from government and health officials and will provide updates here as they become available from trusted sources.

Food safety guidance

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19.

Handling packaging

According to a new study from the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine, COVID-19 may be detectable for up to 24 hours on cardboard and 2-3 days on plastic. Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that customers discard packaging they receive, from food or other deliveries, and then wash their hands before handling the order.

Detecting COVID-19

COVID-19 is the name for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. According to the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Based on guidance from the CDC you should call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or if you have symptoms. For the latest information, we recommend visiting the CDC website.

Protecting yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19

The CDC recommends the following tips to protect yourself and others:

Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds throughout the day, especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, or sneezing; if soap and water is unavailable, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw that tissue in the trash. If you don’t have access to a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, never into your hands. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in order to lessen your chances of getting sick. Again, remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after coughing or sneezing.
For Dashers, keep surfaces, including your hot bag and vehicle, clean by using regular household cleaning spray or wipes. Use hand sanitizer often throughout each delivery to minimize exposure.
Social distancing, in particular if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath, cold or flu-like symptoms, or a fever of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should stay home and away from others. If your symptoms worsen, please consult with your doctor.