Uber updates the app with COVID-19 preventive features to resume its services

Uber recommences its services. More Coronavirus preventive features have been added to the app in order to ensure the safety of the passengers as well as drivers.

Cab service proving company Uber is all set to recommence its services following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines as the Lockdown 4.0 comes with relaxations. The service provider has updated the app with coronavirus preventive features.

Uber held a virtual press conference today where it said that the mobile app will be updated with policies checklist for driver and passenger and coronavirus safety features.

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The new features of the app include:
• The app will have a selfie feature to check that the users are wearing masks.
• Drivers have to upload a picture with mask on before accepting any ride.
• Ride cancellation is available at both ends. The driver or passenger may cancel the ride if they do not feel safe.
• Only two passengers are allowed in a single ride.
• Uber advises riders not to sit in the front seat and maintain social distancing.’
• Before starting the trip both driver and passenger will go through the safety checklist which includes wearing masks, confirming no symptoms of coronavirus and sanitization of vehicle before every trip.

Uber will also provide information and advisories regarding ‘How to wear mask?’, ‘What to do with used make?’ ‘How to dispose mask?’, etc on the app.

Sachin Kansal, Global Senior Director of Product Management at Uber said, “Over the last two months, our global tech and safety product teams have been hard at work building a new, product experience for riders and drivers. Today, as India eases its lockdown, it’s important we take all necessary precautions to help keep ourselves safe and to make the next trip safer for all. These new features and policies have been rolled out globally, and we will keep enhancing and revising them as needed to ensure a safer product experience for all.”

On being asked what will happen if the driver removes masks after verification, Kansal replied “If a rider reports such behaviour where the driver-partner is not using the mask during a ride, we will send a warning to the concerned driver-partner and might take him out of the platform if it happens frequently.”

“The same rule follows for riders who won’t wear masks during the rides and are reported for this behaviour by their driver-partners,” he added.

A few days back Uber tweeted about giving personal protective equipment to drivers for their well being and in order to make every ride safe.

The service was suspended due to countrywide lockdown since March 25. On May 3 the services resumed in green and orange zones where the number of COVID-19 cases are less.

Uber’s attempts of social distancing in car rides will be beneficial for the rider and driver.