Global taxi-hailing app Uber has it mandatory for its drivers, delivery boys and riders globally to wear a mask to curb the spread of coronavirus as cities around the world begin to reopen and people start moving again.

Before a driver or delivery person can go online, they will be asked to confirm, via a new Go Online Checklist, that they’ve taken certain safety measures and are wearing a mask or face cover, Uber said in a statement on its website.

“Our new technology will verify if the driver is wearing a mask by asking them to take a selfie. After we verify the driver is covering their face, we’ll let the rider know via an in-app message,” the statement added.

Drivers who are not wearing a mask or face cover will not be able to go online beginning next May 18, the statement added, noting that Uber maintain this policy through the end of June, and then reassess based on local public health needs.

“We’ve designed this feature to adapt to changing public health guidance and regulations as the pandemic evolves,” it said.

“We’ve also built a similar checklist for riders. Before every trip, riders must confirm that they’ve taken precautions like wearing a face cover and washing or sanitizing their hands. They must also agree to sit in the back seat and open windows for ventilation. We’re also reducing the maximum suggested number of passengers for an UberX ride to three from four.”

If a driver shows up without a mask on, the rider can cancel the trip without penalty, too, and report the issue to us via the app. Uber’s two-way feedback system has long helped ensure both riders and drivers uphold certain standards by requiring feedback on issues like vehicle quality, navigation, and speeding.

“Now, we are adding new options for feedback including having no face cover or mask. Drivers and riders who repeatedly violate mask policies risk losing access to Uber,” the statement noted. – TradeArabia News Service