Uber has scrapped its mask requirement, starting today, telling passengers that they no longer need to wear one during a ride, and "if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip."
The ride-hailing app has updated its safety policy, which reads as of today riders and drivers are no longer required to wear masks while using Uber in the U.S. Uber notes, however, that the CDC still recommends wearing a mask "if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area."
"Many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences," Uber's updated policy reads. "And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip."
Rival ride-hailing service Lyft still has its mask requirement in place, requiring users to "follow CDC guidance related to COVID-19, including wearing a face mask that covers your mouth and nose (as required by federal order). A mask is required even if you’ve been vaccinated."
The move notably comes just one day after a federal judge struck down President Joe Biden's mandate that masks be required on planes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation — a directive that has been renewed several times during the pandemic to attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
After District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle declared the policy "unlawful," the White House confirmed "the CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time." White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Department of Homeland Security and the CDC are both reviewing the decision.
