Uber, Lyft scrap mask requirement for US riders, drivers
By Giles Turner and Jackie Davalos, Bloomberg News
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. will no longer ask riders and drivers in the U.S. to wear masks, joining a growing number of major transport providers shifting their policies.
The ride-hailing giants’ relaxing of their rules comes after U.S. airlines said they would no longer require travelers or employees to wear face coverings on domestic and some international flights. A U.S. judge on Monday overturned a federal mandate for passengers to cover their faces.
“Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” Uber said in a statement.
Al Seib/Los Angeles Times
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. will no longer ask riders and drivers in the U.S. to wear masks, joining a growing number of major transport providers shifting their policies.
Both Uber and Lyft said they will allow riders to sit in the front passenger seat. “While riders and drivers can always cancel any ride they don’t wish to take, health safety reasons — like not wearing a mask — will no longer appear as cancellation options in the app,” Lyft said in a blog post.
In the U.K., Uber’s other major market, the company already relaxed its rules for mask-wearing in line with government advice.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that companies would no longer be able to order passengers to wear masks on public transportation, although both agencies recommended their continued use.
COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. have eased after a decline in case numbers from a January peak caused by the omicron variant. Almost 1 million Americans have died of COVID in the past two years, and hundreds more continue to die every day.
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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Delta Air Lines says it is making masks optional, and warned travelers they "may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated."
"Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees -- such as TSA -- may be receiving this information at different times," the airline said.
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Delta Air Lines says it is making masks optional, and warned travelers they "may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated."
"Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees -- such as TSA -- may be receiving this information at different times," the airline said.
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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United Airlines said in a statement that "masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country's mask requirements) or at U.S. airports."
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United Airlines said in a statement that "masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country's mask requirements) or at U.S. airports."
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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Alaska Airlines similarly said face masks are now optional and asked for passengers to be considerate.
"While we are glad this means many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand some might have mixed feelings," the airline posted on its website. "Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option."
Alaska Airlines said some of its passengers who were banned from the airline during the duration of the mask policy will continue to be prohibited from its planes.
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Alaska Airlines similarly said face masks are now optional and asked for passengers to be considerate.
"While we are glad this means many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand some might have mixed feelings," the airline posted on its website. "Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option."
Alaska Airlines said some of its passengers who were banned from the airline during the duration of the mask policy will continue to be prohibited from its planes.
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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American Airlines said "face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights."
"Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements," it said.
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American Airlines said "face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights."
"Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements," it said.
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, said on its website that employees and customers could "choose whether they would like to wear a mask, and we encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing."
It also said it would "continue supporting the comfort of those who travel with us by offering additional layers of protection."
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Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, said on its website that employees and customers could "choose whether they would like to wear a mask, and we encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing."
It also said it would "continue supporting the comfort of those who travel with us by offering additional layers of protection."
These airlines are making masks optional after mandate struck down
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JetBlue said in a tweet Monday that mask wearing will be optional within the United States. "While no longer required, customers and crewmembers may continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft," the company tweeted.
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JetBlue said in a tweet Monday that mask wearing will be optional within the United States. "While no longer required, customers and crewmembers may continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft," the company tweeted.
