Vehicle Usage and Cleaning
The protocols below are required for use and cleaning of shared transportation vehicles to minimize the potential for transmission of COVID–19 while traveling individually or with a group.
General protocols
- If a driver and/or rider has COVID–19 symptoms (including a fever 100.4°F) they should not use a shared transportation vehicle and MUST GO HOME.
- Commonly touched surfaces in the vehicle must be cleaned and disinfected before and after operation. The driver is responsible for ensuring cleaning and disinfecting are accomplished.
- Commonly touched surfaces include but are not limited to: exterior and interior door handles and grips (to include the surrounding surface), interior door and window controls, arm rests, safety belts, cup holders, glove/storage compartment latches, air vents, audio and climate controls, gear shift, steering wheel, visors, rear view mirror and center console.
- When cleaning the vehicle, doors and windows should remain open, if weather permits, to increase ventilation.
- For hard non-porous surfaces within the interior of the vehicle such as hard seats, arm rests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light and air controls, doors and windows, and grab handles, clean with detergent or soap and water if the surfaces are visibly dirty, prior to disinfectant application. Then clean the area with disinfectants.
- For soft or porous surfaces such as fabric seats, remove any visible contamination, if present, and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces.
- After cleaning, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID–19 and that are suitable for porous surfaces. Follow instructions on product label and review required contact time for the product being used.
Cleaning a vehicle after someone who has tested positive has used it
- If a driver or rider uses a shared vehicle and tests COVID–19 positive within 7 days of using the vehicle, the vehicle will be removed from service and subjected to complete disinfection. The vehicle can return to service after proper disinfection.
Seating arrangements
- Occupants of vehicles should avoid or limit close contact (within 6 feet) with others.
- Each traveler must be assigned a specific seat and should maintain the same seating arrangement at all times while in the vehicle.
- Alternate seating positions to maximize physical distance between vehicle occupants with a maximum of one person per row- for instance, a four-door vehicle with two rows of seating (sedan or five to six passenger SUV) can have one driver and one passenger.
- When possible, riders who work together or who frequently share a space together should be grouped in the same vehicle for transportation.
- All occupants of the vehicle must wear cloth face coverings at all times while in the vehicle.
- Hand sanitizer must be available in the vehicle to encourage rider use.
- Ventilation should be maximized in the passenger compartment by using a combination of the vehicle’s climate control system and windows so that each passenger is supplied with fresh, un-recirculated air.