Ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft lifted mask requirements in their vehicles on Tuesday.
The move comes one day after a federal judge in Florida struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for planes, trains, buses and other public transport.
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle for the Middle District of Florida said the policy was “unlawful” and ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had overstepped its legal authority by imposing the mask mandate.
Uber updated its policy early Tuesday, noting that the CDC still recommends wearing a mask if an individual has personal risk factors or if the person lives in areas with high transmission of Covid-19.
“Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” the company said.
Lyft also updated its policy on Tuesday morning, saying, “wearing a mask is now optional for everyone in the car.”
"We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so," Lyft said.
“While riders and drivers can always cancel any ride they don’t wish to take, health safety reasons — like not wearing a mask — will no longer appear as cancellation options in the app."
Following Monday's ruling, the Transportation Security Administration said it would no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring masks on public transportation and transportation hubs.
The decision sparked a frenzy of new policies with some airlines such as Delta and United dropping the face-covering requirement, while some public transportation services like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City will keep it in place.