Uber Implements Safety Policies for Drivers and Riders Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Uber Implements Safety Policies for Drivers and Riders Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Uber opens Greenlight Hub to distribute PPE to drivers in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS – (Sept. 10, 2020) – Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Uber has announced safety precautions being taken for driver and passenger safety and the company’s commitment to helping drivers.
As New Orleanians begin to venture out and explore their favorite restaurants, Uber remains a safe and reliable mode of transportation for those experiencing all New Orleans has to offer. Uber has made a commitment nationally to purchase and distribute $50 million of cleaning supplies and protective equipment in a direct-to-home shipment to active drivers and has opened a Greenlight Hub in New Orleans to distribute PPE to drivers. The hub is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning on Monday, September 14.
“So far, we have distributed over 57,000 masks, wipes and bottles of hand sanitizer to more than 5,000 drivers and couriers in New Orleans alone, completely free of charge,” said Trevor Theunissen, Director of Public Affairs for Uber. “We are committed to doing what we can to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers during this time.”
Uber has also implemented a “no mask, no ride” policy, requiring all riders, drivers, and delivery people to wear a mask or face cover and follow other important health guidelines to keep everyone safe as New Orleans begins to reopen. A new feature to the app includes driver mask verification, which requires drivers and delivery people to take a selfie with a mask to verify they are wearing face protection before accepting rides. All riders are also asked to confirm they are wearing face coverings when they are in a vehicle too, and asked to review key safety steps such as washing hands, sitting in the backseat, and opening windows for ventilation. Riders and drivers have the option to cancel a trip without penalty if either party is not wearing a mask.
Riders and drivers are also encouraged to use hand sanitizer before and after rides and avoid close contact by sitting in the back seat where possible. Uber is also providing expert guided education that was developed in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) specifically geared to ridesharing on how drivers can clean their vehicles and focus on best practices. New policies have been implemented to help maintain social distancing, such as passenger limits for UberX and UberXL, health and safety education for rideshare users and financial assistance being offered to Uber drivers who test positive for COVID-19.
“So far, we have provided over $20 million in financial assistance to drivers who have been asked to quarantine,” said Theunissen. “It is everyone’s responsibility to help slow the spread and we are doing everything we can to do our part.”
For more information on Uber’s financial assistance policy, click here. For details on health and safety measures for drivers and passengers, click here.
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About Uber:
Uber started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, Uber is building tools to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
Uber Implements Safety Policies for Drivers and Riders Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Uber opens Greenlight Hub to distribute PPE to drivers in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS – (Sept. 10, 2020) – Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Uber has announced safety precautions being taken for driver and passenger safety and the company’s commitment to helping drivers.
As New Orleanians begin to venture out and explore their favorite restaurants, Uber remains a safe and reliable mode of transportation for those experiencing all New Orleans has to offer. Uber has made a commitment nationally to purchase and distribute $50 million of cleaning supplies and protective equipment in a direct-to-home shipment to active drivers and has opened a Greenlight Hub in New Orleans to distribute PPE to drivers. The hub is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning on Monday, September 14.
“So far, we have distributed over 57,000 masks, wipes and bottles of hand sanitizer to more than 5,000 drivers and couriers in New Orleans alone, completely free of charge,” said Trevor Theunissen, Director of Public Affairs for Uber. “We are committed to doing what we can to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers during this time.”
Uber has also implemented a “no mask, no ride” policy, requiring all riders, drivers, and delivery people to wear a mask or face cover and follow other important health guidelines to keep everyone safe as New Orleans begins to reopen. A new feature to the app includes driver mask verification, which requires drivers and delivery people to take a selfie with a mask to verify they are wearing face protection before accepting rides. All riders are also asked to confirm they are wearing face coverings when they are in a vehicle too, and asked to review key safety steps such as washing hands, sitting in the backseat, and opening windows for ventilation. Riders and drivers have the option to cancel a trip without penalty if either party is not wearing a mask.
Riders and drivers are also encouraged to use hand sanitizer before and after rides and avoid close contact by sitting in the back seat where possible. Uber is also providing expert guided education that was developed in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) specifically geared to ridesharing on how drivers can clean their vehicles and focus on best practices. New policies have been implemented to help maintain social distancing, such as passenger limits for UberX and UberXL, health and safety education for rideshare users and financial assistance being offered to Uber drivers who test positive for COVID-19.
“So far, we have provided over $20 million in financial assistance to drivers who have been asked to quarantine,” said Theunissen. “It is everyone’s responsibility to help slow the spread and we are doing everything we can to do our part.”
For more information on Uber’s financial assistance policy, click here. For details on health and safety measures for drivers and passengers, click here.
# # #
About Uber:
Uber started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, Uber is building tools to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.