Hailing a Taxi in the Age of COVID-19: Follow These Guidelines

When it comes to traveling, times have been rough. No one knows this better than taxi drivers, having seen a dramatic change in the number of travelers and daily commuters. According to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, the company will spend $50 million on supplies for drivers, such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and bleach wipes.

But as we test the waters, preparing ourselves for the new normal, here are some guidelines we should all follow when hailing a taxi.

Cover Your Face

Perhaps the most important guideline you should stick to is wearing a face mask. Uber recently introduced a “No Mask, No Ride” guideline, which requires both drivers all riders to wear masks. If you ever feel unsafe, you can cancel the trip and report it to Uber’s support team by selecting “No face cover or mask” as your cancellation reason. It’s also good to know that both riders and drivers who are repeatedly flagged for not wearing a face-covering will risk losing access to the app.

Sit in the Back

To help keep as much distance between you and your driver, from May 27, riders are no longer permitted to sit in the front seat. While sitting in the back, it’s also recommended to open your windows in order to increase ventilation.

Wash Your Hands

Clean hands indeed save lives, and this is also the case when traveling. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections. According to Uber, in order to practice responsible hygiene, wash your hands before and after every trip.

Stay safe!