Food delivery service DoorDash has extended its operational pause in New York City until at least 2pm Eastern Time on Monday, as the city continues to recover from a major blizzard. The company had initially suspended services at 8:30pm ET on Sunday, ahead of a city-wide travel ban.
A company spokesperson confirmed the extension to Business Insider, stating the pause is part of its "Severe Weather Protocol" enacted to keep delivery drivers, known as Dashers, safe. The decision follows a storm that dumped 15 inches of snow on the city, disrupting flights and cutting power to thousands of residents.
Safety Protocol Activated Ahead of Travel Ban
DoorDash's suspension began just before Mayor Zohran Mamdani instituted the official travel ban. "We're suspending operations early to keep Dashers safe and off the streets before the travel ban takes effect," said DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley. He added that the company is "closely monitoring conditions and will resume as soon as it's safe to do so."
Industry-Wide Impact
Rival service Grubhub also paused operations late on Sunday. A spokesperson for Grubhub stated just before noon on Monday that the service is "currently operating in NYC after pausing overnight to keep couriers safe." The coordinated pauses highlight the significant disruption caused by the winter storm to the gig economy and essential services.
The blizzard, which hit the Northeast region late Sunday and into early Monday, represents one of the most significant snow events for New York City this season. The travel ban and subsequent service suspensions underscore the severe weather conditions faced by residents and workers.