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They will need to take a selfie to show they are wearing a mask.
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Drivers will also need to confirm symptoms and that car is sanitized.
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Uber will provide all the necessary supplies.
The pandemic’s impact is not limited to any one business. Some are hit harder than others, including cars for hire, be they with or without a driver. All car rental companies are hurting at the moment, and so are ride-hailing companies such as Lyft and Uber. The latter has decided to implement strict and specific measures in order to render its services safer for drivers and passengers.
Starting next Monday, May 18th, all Uber drivers will be required to wear masks, and to prove they are abiding by the new guidelines, they will need to take a selfie in the app before picking up clients. This measure will apply to riders. In fact, Sachin Kansal, Uber’s head of safety products said in an interview with CNN: “If the driver approaches and the rider sees the driver is not wearing a mask, they can cancel the trip. They don’t have to get in the car.”
Masks are only part of these new guidelines. Drivers (and riders) will need to confirm that they are without symptoms, and the Uber employees will need to regularly sanitize their cars and wash their hands. Thankfully, Uber has allocated $50 million to purchase supplies needed to support drivers. These guidelines will remain in effect until the end of June and revisited afterward.
