Uber drops masks necessities for drivers, passengers

Uber signage on a automobile at Oakland Worldwide Airport in Oakland, California, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

Uber stated Tuesday that riders and drivers are now not required to put on masks.

“As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers usually are not required to put on masks when utilizing Uber,” the corporate stated in up to date security steerage on its web site. “Nonetheless, the CDC nonetheless recommends sporting a masks if in case you have sure private threat elements and/or excessive transmission ranges in your space.”

The change comes after a federal choose in Florida dominated on Monday that the CDC overstepped its authority to require masks on planes and different public transportation. The Transportation Safety Administration will now not implement masks on public transportation, and airways together with United, Delta and Alaska have stated masks are now not required. Amtrak additionally made masks non-obligatory.

Uber additionally says that some individuals really feel safer sporting a masks “due to private or household well being conditions” so drivers and riders ought to respect each other’s preferences.

The app nonetheless asks riders to verify they’re sporting a masks, nonetheless. CNBC reached out to Uber for clarification on why the app continues to be prompting customers with that query, however a spokesperson was not instantly out there to remark.

Uber’s masks requirement had been in place since early within the pandemic.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention nonetheless recommends masks on public transportation. Previous to the choose’s ruling, the CDC had prolonged the federal necessities for masks on public transportation till Might 3, citing rising instances of the BA.2 Omicron subvariant.

Lyft was not instantly out there to touch upon whether or not its coverage had additionally modified.