Uber Also Lifts 'Mask Wearing Mandate' in the US

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Ride-hailing service company Uber is lifting the mask mandate in the United States.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 19th (local time) that Uber decided to end the mask mandate for drivers and passengers. Uber will also end the policy that prohibited passengers from sitting in the front passenger seat next to the driver.

Since the spread of COVID-19, Uber had mandated that drivers and passengers wear masks. Additionally, passengers were only allowed to sit in the back seat of the vehicle.

This move came shortly after a Florida federal court invalidated the U.S. government's decision to extend the mask mandate on public transportation such as buses and airplanes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced immediately after the ruling that it would no longer require passengers on public transportation to wear masks.

This policy applies only in the United States. Other countries will follow their local quarantine regulations.

In a statement, Uber said, "Many people feel safe wearing masks for protection. Please respect others' choices."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that following the court ruling, it will not enforce or mandate mask-wearing on public transportation, but it still recommends wearing masks.

The day before, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and low-cost carriers (LCC) such as Spirit Airlines and JetBlue announced that wearing masks on flights is optional rather than mandatory. On the other hand, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates New York City's subways and buses, said it will continue to enforce the mask mandate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.