Catch a safe ride

Do you carpool to work or use a ride-hailing service? Or maybe you’re a ride-share driver? To help protect you from contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to your fellow commuters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips.

Wear a mask. Wearing a cloth facial covering can reduce the risk of individuals who don’t know they have the virus transmitting it to other occupants in the vehicle.
Let fresh air in through vents or windows. Avoid using the recirculated air option on the vehicle’s ventilation system. Instead, open the vents and/or lower windows to let in outside air.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Carry tissues and use them to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and encourage others to do the same. Then, discard the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow – not your hands.
Use proper hand hygiene. Make sure you have a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use it after touching any objects, coughing or sneezing. Further, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Limit the number of passengers and ride to work with the same people. Avoid carpooling with people who otherwise wouldn’t be riding together. Keep as much space as possible between passengers.
Be safe while you wait. When waiting for your ride, stay at least 6 feet apart from others.

If you’re sick or feeling sick, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, avoid carpooling or using ride-hailing services, CDC says. Better yet, stay home.