Move comes the day after U.S. district judge struck down federal mandate.
QUICK FACTS:
- Uber on Tuesday said it will no longer require passengers or drivers to wear masks during rides.
- The move came only a day after a federal judge threw out the federal government’s mandate requiring masks on airplanes, trains, and other public transportation.
- Uber is still urging customers to be “respectful” of those who still choose to wear one, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing a mask under certain circumstances.
- Riders are now once again allowed to sit in the front seat if their group is too large to fit in the back.
WHAT UBER SAID:
- “Masks are no longer required,” Uber’s statement reads.
- “As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber. However, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area,” the statement went on to say.
- “Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences. And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”
BACKGROUND:
- Several major airline companies also immediately dropped mask requirements following U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle’s Monday decision to strike down the national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit.
- Several US airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue, announced that masks are now optional on their aircraft.
