The world is currently in a state of panic and the reality is, if we want to get through this then we have to adapt. COVID-19 is scary – that one we are sure of. That’s why we have to make sure we stay on the safe side of things so we don’t get infected. Staying at home and limiting our out-of-home excursions (especially in areas where there are a lot of people) is the best way to reduce our chances of getting the virus.

But this is not the case for a lot of people especially those who are frontliners – people whose work are deemed important for society to go on. This includes hospital staff, grocery store workers, some food workers, and those in the transportation department – including ridesharing drivers.

This puts our dear drivers in a dangerous predicament. Should they prioritize their livelihood and the needs of the public or their own health? Obviously, the decision rests in the hands of the driver. However, we at T3 Atlanta recognize the act of bravery that ridesharing drivers exhibit every time they decide to hit the road to ferry people in and around the city of Atlanta. That is why we created this list of ridesharing tips for drivers to help decrease their chances of getting infected (aside from extra protections like masks and gloves).

COVID-19 Ridesharing Tips for Drivers

• Clean your car – Feeling healthy and ready to go on the road for your next passenger? Just do one thing before you go – clean your car. We don’t want to sound like we are overselling it but your car should be in its cleanest as much as possible. Get EPA-recommended disinfectants to clean the inside and outside of your car. As a rule of thumb, don’t just spray and wipe. Spray and let the disinfectant stay on the surface for at least 15 minutes or longer. Focus on the areas that people touch often during a ride. The best case scenario is you should spray and clean after each passenger so you might want to do that considering it’s a bit slow. Telling your passengers about what you are doing will help them relax knowing they are riding a clean car.
• Limit touch points – This may require you to do extra stuff for your passengers but believe me, this will go a long way. If you really want to keep your ride as safe as possible then you have to limit the passenger’s touch points. One example is by opening the door for them as they ride the car. Use driving gloves that you can disinfect as you go. Not only is this a good way for you to limit the chances of infection but your riders will also appreciate the extra effort.
• Keep interactions to the minimum – I know that a lot of rideshare drivers like to interact with their passengers and give them stuff like water and treats, but you might want to reconsider that for the meantime. However, this does not mean the ride should be void of interaction. You can give your passenger a small talk about the safety steps you are taking. Believe me, they will appreciate it.
• Don’t drive when you feel sick – If you are feeling a bit under the weather then experts suggest you stay home if possible. It’s common sense. Your coughing and sneezing will spread viruses inside your own car which can infect your passenger. Sure, a little cold might not bring you down, but older people may find it hard to fight the viruses back. So while it may not be ideal, considering you need to drive to earn money, staying at home when you feel sick will not only protect you but also the people around you.

While we may not know when this will all end, we should not let it stop us from adapting and making the most out of the situation. Just remember that your passenger’s health and your own should always come first.

For all your car needs you can always come to T3 Atlanta for help. We are still open as we offer an essential service. Just give us a call so we can schedule you to limit people in our shop for physical distancing purposes.