Following Monday's news that a federal judge in Florida struck down the Biden administration’s public transportation mask mandate, rideshare companies Lyft and Uber have announced that masks will no longer be required inside their vehicles.
In a Tuesday press release, Lyft announced that mask wearing is now optional for both riders and drivers.
In addition, riders will be able to use the front seat again, and the option for drivers to cancel rides because of a lack of mask will be removed.
Updates to our COVID Guidelines:
— Lyft (@lyft) April 19, 2022
Masks are optional in the car. ?
Riders can sit in the front seat. ?
Open windows, no longer required. ?
Comfort levels may vary, so we encourage those who wish to continue wearing a mask to do so.
Learn more: https://t.co/1CKBWOgBBc
Uber announced the same morning that masks will no longer be required for riders or drivers as well, but added that "the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area."
Uber will also be allowing passengers in the front seat again.
You can now ride without a mask and use the front seat if you need to. While mask usage is still recommended, we’ve updated our Covid Safety policies. Let’s move forward, safely together.
— Uber (@Uber) April 19, 2022
For US riders only. pic.twitter.com/LgHYSsC4Bg
On Monday, US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Florida ruled that the authority of the Centers for Disease Control didn't extend to public transportation, and that the implementation of the mandate was a violation of administrative law.
In her ruling, Mizelle wrote that "The Court DECLARES UNLAWFUL and VACATES the Mask Mandate, remanding it to the CDC for further proceedings consistent with this order."
Following the action, a number of airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, announced that masks would no longer be required on their flights.
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