UAE: Food delivery orders to be paused for up to 30 minutes daily this Ramadan; here’s why

For delivery rider Muhammed Bilal, Ramadan is usually a busy time. But things get especially packed after 5.30pm. “Suddenly it feels like everyone in Dubai is ordering something,” he said. “But 10 minutes before the Maghrib azaan goes off, I head to the nearest mosque and take a break to have my iftar. After prayers, I head back to the street because there is a very high volume of people ordering.”

Delivery companies are now reminding UAE residents to order their food early during Iftar time; otherwise, they may face delays. Many of them are putting deliveries on hold around this time to help fasting riders.

Every year, road safety experts have called on motorists and pedestrians to be more cautious while on the road as traffic accidents usually increase during Ramadan.

According to RoadSafety UAE’s Ramadan accident surveys, peak accident timings are around pre-Iftar (between 2pm and 5pm) and the morning rush hour from 8am to 10am. With several people rushing to various places during Iftar, motorists and delivery riders are warned to be careful around this time.

Riders breaking their fast

While Careem has decided to pause all delivery orders for 30 minutes during Iftar to give their 'captains' time to rest and break their fast, Talabat is posting in-app notifications warning of delays at the time of iftar. Deliveroo riders can also log out to take a break for Iftar.

Here's an alert that Talabat usually sends out:

Talabat also provides its riders flexible working schedules, offers them discounts at 20 restaurants and invites them to Iftar gatherings. The service has increased its safety communication with riders by 300 per cent in Ramadan to enhance awareness of road safety rules — especially during peak rush hours — and remind them to take instantly approved breaks whenever needed.

Careem will be providing iftar meals to its captains at least three times a week during Ramadan in the UAE, KSA, Jordan, Pakistan, and Egypt. Employees of the company across all markets will also participate in different volunteering activities, including meal distribution and hospital visits with young cancer patients.

• Ramadan in UAE: Free Iftar boxes distributed by volunteers offer 'relief' to motorists