While we’re all trying to do everything we can to keep ourselves and the community safe during COVID-19, we’re aware that Members have questions or concerns about what to do when it comes to car hire and ridesharing.
Can I use a hire car, rideshare or taxi commercial passenger vehicle during COVID-19?
If you’re feeling unwell and there’s a chance that you may have the virus, it’s advised that you steer clear of using a rideshare vehicle. Even if you are feeling fine, you must not use a shared car if you have travelled overseas in the past 14 days, have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or are required to self-isolate for any other reason.
Can I use a commercial passenger vehicle to travel to self-isolation due to recent international travel or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case?
Wherever possible, unwell passengers or passengers travelling to their location of mandatory self-isolation should use a personal mode of transport to minimise exposure to others. If you’re unwell, or you’re travelling to your location of mandatory self-isolation, and you do need to use a taxi or rideshare service, then it’s important you avoid contact with others, including the driver.
Here are some of the steps you can take to minimise the risk:
Are drivers required to clean their vehicles after each trip to minimise the impact of the virus?
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, drivers of rideshare vehicles need to carry out good hygiene practices to protect themselves and their passengers. With that being said, drivers have been advised to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces in their vehicle that passengers touch, as well as wash their own hands thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitiser regularly.
Can drivers refuse payment in cash and coins?
Customers of any rideshare service are being encouraged to use contactless payments where possible to further reduce chances of community spread. However, for those services that do not offer contactless payment, it’s advised that you wash or sanitise your hands to limit the spread.
Remember to:
Follow regular health precautions:
When using a rideshare vehicle, make sure to wash your hands at regular intervals. Do so before and after driving, with soap and water, or a sanitiser that is at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth. For more in-depth hygiene recommendations, check out the WHO's hygiene recommendations around COVID-19.
Keep it clean:
Throw any tissues or rubbish directly into a bag and take it with you when you leave the vehicle.
Don't share if sick:
If you're feeling at all ill - cough, fever, runny nose, or sore throat - please consider others and don't use a rideshare vehicle.
Extra precautions:
For additional safety, you can use disinfectant wipes on high-touch areas like the door handle and seatbelt before touching them.
Rideshare companies are doing their bit to ensure you stay healthy if you need to use their service. So long as you keep yourself clean and take necessary precautions, you can keep using the apps without any worry.
