UAE Midday Work Ban: Delivery Riders Limited to 3 Orders During Peak Summer Heat

To keep delivery riders safe during the hottest months of the year, the UAE is strictly enforcing its annual midday work ban. Active daily from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM until September 15, the rules protect outdoor workers from extreme summer temperatures. Under these regulations, delivery platforms must limit their riders to a maximum of three orders during peak hours, with total delivery times not exceeding 60 minutes.

Major delivery platforms in the country have already updated their systems to make sure these safety rules are followed. For instance, Careem has set up its dispatch system to automatically limit order assignments and adjust delivery times for customers during peak heat hours.

In a statement shared with Khaleej Times, Vaibhav Makker, VP Operations – Logistics & Care at Careem, said: “During restricted windows, we proactively adjust customer delivery estimates. Customers are kept informed and know the reason behind it: the health and safety of our captains always come first.”

No Forced Work and Free Rest Stations

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has made it clear that delivery drivers cannot be forced to work under direct sunlight during these hours, and foot deliveries are completely banned. To help riders rest and cool down, there are now more than 12,000 air-conditioned rest stations set up across the UAE.

To make finding these rest areas easier, Talabat has added an interactive map directly into its rider app, showing real-time locations of nearby cooling stations.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mayank Khaitan, Director of Rider Lifecycle at Talabat, explained: “The feature helps riders easily locate the closest air-conditioned facility, making it easier to plan breaks and stay protected during the summer months.”

Extra Care and Summer Support

In addition to cooling stations, delivery platforms are providing extra health support to their drivers. Talabat distributes summer care kits containing essential items like electrolytes, hydration drinks, and wet wipes, while also hosting health check-ups.

Similarly, Careem provides safety training to help riders spot the early signs of heat exhaustion. They have also partnered with the Pakistan Association Dubai to offer free medical check-ups and PepsiCo to distribute refreshing drinks and snacks.

With smart app features and helpful community partnerships, the UAE continues to prioritize the health and safety of its hard-working delivery riders throughout the summer.