Uber drops mask requirement for its riders, drivers in the US

Ride-sharing company Uber has announced that there will be no more mandatory requirement for its riders and drivers to wear masks in the US. Announcing the news, Uber said that its users will not be required to wear masks "as of April 19, 2022." The company announced the decision a day after a Florida judge halted the US government's mandate that required all people travelling from trains, buses, planes, or any other transport medium to wear a mask.

The mandate issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was recently extended till May 3, and it covered all people of and above two years of age. The CDC mandate has already been extended many a time.

Even though Uber dropped the mask requirement for its passengers and drivers, it has stated that the health regulatory body "still recommends wearing a mask". The CDC has asked people who are prone to exposure to the coronavirus due to their proximity to high transmission areas or have "personal risk factors" to wear a mask. The ride-sharing company also said that some people still prefer wearing masks due to their family or personal health conditions, and it requested its users to respect others' "preferences."


Uber's mandatory requirement for its users to wear a mask during their travel was in accordance with the government rules and has been in force since May 18, 2020.

Besides the mask requirement, Uber has also changed its 'no front-seat' policy. The policy, which was announced during the grim health situations caused by the pandemic, required all passengers to sit only in the vehicle's back seat. It aimed at providing more space to Uber drivers during the Covid times. Now, the riders can sit in the front seat as well. However, the company has requested all its passengers to sit in the front seat only when necessary due to the size of the passengers group.