Uber begins operations in green and orange zones across India
What's the story
After keeping operations suspended for over a month, ride-hailing giant Uber has begun operations in select cities and districts across India. The move from the company comes as India enters into the third phase of the lockdown, with select services functioning in the so-called green and orange zones. Here's all you need to know about it.
Details
Operations resumed in compliance with government regulations
In a recent blog post, Uber confirmed that it is resuming services in compliance with government regulations for specific cities and districts, categorized as Orange and Green zones. The orange zones, outside containment areas, include Amritsar, Gurugram, Panchkula, Asansol, Hubli, Prayagraj, Udaipur, Kozhikode, Vapi, Mangaluru, Vishakhapatnam, Mehsana, Rohtak, Durgapur, Mohali, Thiruvananthapuram, Ghaziabad, and Nadiad.
Information
Meanwhile, the green zones include
The green zones - with zero COVID-19 cases - where Uber will be allowed to operate include seven districts - Cuttack, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Thrissur, Kochi, Silvassa, and Daman.
Red zone
No operation in 'Red zones'
That said, it is worth noting that Uber will remain suspended in all high-risk 'Red zones' across the country. In some of these regions, the company says it will only provide Uber Essential and UberMedic services, which are aimed at letting people access hospitals and pharmacies - for non-COVID-19-related needs - and frontline healthcare workers to move safely between their homes and medical facilities.
Recommendations
Riders recommended to follow safety guidelines
For safe operations in orange, green zones, Uber says people should take a cab only when it is an absolute must and avoid traveling in large groups; a single cab should not have more than two riders and none of them should be seated next to the driver. The company also recommends refraining from venturing out for non-essentials between 7 pm and 7 am.
Requirements
Mask mandatory during rides
Among other things, Uber says people need to wear a mask during a ride and take care of their belongings on their own. The company also recommends washing/sanitizing hands before and after a ride and using only digital payments to avoid the possibility of close contact. Those who are at risk (kids/elderly) should stay at home unless it is absolutely unavoidable.