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May 04, 2020

Uber, Airlines Requiring Face Masks

By  Christopher Ruvo

Uber will require drivers and riders to wear face masks as the company’s flagship rideshare business begins to return to life amid the easing of some coronavirus-driven lockdown measures, according to an exclusive report from CNN Business.  

The development comes as a growing number of airlines have announced that flight staff and passengers will have to wear face coverings.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention has said that wearing cloth face coverings/masks can help check the spread of the novel coronavirus.

As for Uber, CNN reported that the rideshare company’s leadership approved the mask mandate in a recent meeting. The requirement will reportedly apply in certain countries, including the United States.

Uber is developing technology to determine if drivers are wearing masks/coverings. The company already has a face identification protocol to ensure a driver’s identity. Additionally, Uber is looking into creating tech that would verify that passengers are wearing face coverings.  

Man in car wearing a face mask

“As countries reopen, Uber is focused on safety and proceeding with caution. Today, we continue to ask riders to stay home if they can, while shipping safety supplies to drivers who are providing essential trips. At the same time, our teams are preparing for the next phase of recovery, where we will all have a role to play,” said Uber's head of safety communications Andrew Hasbun in a statement to CNN Business.

Meanwhile, airlines that include Jet Blue, Delta, American, Air Canada and Lufthansa are among those requiring passengers to wear masks.

“Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight – except during meal service,” the airline said in a statement.

Meanwhile, United Airlines is mandating that flight attendants wear masks, but not passengers. Still, the airline will be providing passengers with masks starting in early May. It strongly encourages recipients to wear the face coverings.