Start ordering with Uber Eats

Changes to mask requirements and COVID-19 policies

April 20, 2022 / US

As of April 19th, 2022, drivers, couriers and riders will not have to wear masks and riders will not have to ride in the backseat when using Uber, unless required by local authorities.

The CDC still recommends that people wear masks on transit. We’ve reminded riders that many people may feel safer wearing a mask, to sit in the back unless they need the additional space, and to respect your preferences.

You may have questions about what this change means for you, so we’ve put together an FAQ below to help answer them.

Frequently asked questions

Does this policy change apply to all rides? What if my city is telling me I still have to wear a mask when driving riders?
Yes, this applies to all rides. You no longer have to wear a mask when driving with Uber, unless required by local authorities. Drivers using Uber must comply with local laws and regulations. Please check your local regulations regarding COVID-19 safety protocols.

Will I need to wear a mask when doing deliveries?
If restaurants or local laws require people to wear masks indoors, you will need to wear one before entering. It can be helpful to keep one with you when picking up and dropping off orders.

How many passengers are allowed in an UberX? Can I still requestan up charge for having 4 riders in my car?
We have updated the passenger capacity for UberX from 3 to 4 passengers. We are no longer offering up charges for 4 riders in a car.

What do I do if I don’t want someone to sit in the front seat?
We are not requiring riders to only sit in the back seat anymore.¹ However, we’re still asking them to use the front seat only if they need it because of the size of their group.

If there are only a few riders, you can ask them to sit in the back seat for additional space.

I’m not comfortable with taking riders who aren’t wearing a mask. Can I ask riders to wear a mask when they are in my car?
Yes, you may ask riders to wear a mask.

If a rider does not want to wear a mask and you don’t feel safe taking the ride, you can cancel the ride and select “not safe to pick up” as the cancellation reason. This will not affect your cancellation rate.

We’ve reminded riders that many people still feel safer wearing masks and to respect your preferences.

What if I don’t want to wear a mask, but the rider asks me to?
Riders may ask you to wear a mask, but you do not have to wear one.¹

If you choose not to wear one, your rider may cancel the trip. If this happens, you may get a cancellation fee. Learn more about cancellation fees >

Please keep in mind that many people may still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations.

If COVID cases start to rise again, will you start requiring masks again?
We expect drivers to follow federal and local law and requirements. If federal or local authorities change requirements about masks on ride sharing, we will update our policies and let you know.

Will riders still have to complete the safety checklist before riding?
No, riders do not have to complete the safety checklist anymore except in select cities.

1 Unless required by local authorities. Please check your local requirements regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. Everyone using the Uber platform is required to comply with applicable laws and regulations while doing so.

Posted by Elvira Mah

Category:

Earn