As cities, states and countries allow their citizens to have more movement in phased reopenings, the need for Ubers will increase. In anticipation of that, Uber plans to require its drivers and passengers to wear face masks or other facial coverings such as bandanas. This is intended to help decrease the spread of coronavirus in the small, confined space of a car, where social distancing is not possible.
According to a report from CNN, Uber executives approved the new measure in a recent meeting and it’s planned to be rolled out in several countries, including the U.S., in the next few weeks.
To help ensure compliance, an anonymous source told CNN that Uber is in the midst of developing technology to check if drivers are wearing masks or other types of appropriate face coverings while they’re working. The company already has Real Time ID-check technology to ensure the identity of their drivers (that undoubtedly came about because of this problem, which caused Uber to lose its license to operate in one of its biggest markets) so I guess they’re working to enhance that feature.
Uber began supplying some of its drivers with disinfecting spray last month and has plans to ship ear-loop face masks to drivers, as well. Because of limited supplies and the priority going to health care workers, masks will first be shipped to drivers working in cities and states that have requested drivers wear face coverings. Drivers in other cities will still need to wear a mask or facial covering, even if Uber doesn’t supply them.
There’s no word yet on how the company will ensure passenger compliance with wearing a mask or facial covering.
Lyft, Uber’s biggest competitor, does not appear to have any such requirements at this time. Their website has safety tips for drivers that mentions the CDC’s recommendation to wear a cloth face mask, but as of this writing, no written rules that require wearing a mask.
#stayhealthy #stayathome #washyourhands
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
