Uber, Lyft drop mask requirements for US riders

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.

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.

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.