Uber has announced it is taking cautionary measures to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
The ride-sharing giant announced it is launching a new set of safety features on its mobile app, which includes a tool checking if the driver is wearing a face mask before starting the trip.
The face mask requirement goes into affect on Monday (05/18) and comes as an attempt to restore 'momentum' in the ride-hailing business as some countries are gradually lifting their coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
According to CNBC, the San Francisco-based company will invest $50 million to distribute supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant to drivers and passengers. Uber is reportedly partnering with Clorox in the United States and Unilever in Europe to provide the sanitary supplies.
Furthermore, in order to start the Uber trip, the driver will be required to verify they are wearing a mask by taking a selfie. Riders will also be required to sit in the back seat. During a Zoom call, Uber's CEO - Dara Khosrowshahi told reporters “Keeping everyone safe means that everyone must take proper precautions, not only to protect yourselves, but to protect your driver and protect the next person who may be getting into the car after."
Drivers and riders will both have the ability to cancel a trip if either of them aren’t wearing a face covering. Uber said it has already acquired 20 million masks and distributed 5 million of them to drivers.
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