CDC guidelines

The CDC has some general guidelines for volunteer drivers to remember to prevent infectious diseases, in particular COVID-19.

  1. Wash your hands often – Use soap and make sure you wash for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap is not available. Avoid touching your face and eyes with unwashed hands.
  2. Avoid close contact – As a volunteer driver, the best way to do this is to have people sit in the back seat, not directly behind you. Additionally, we are not requiring signatures or fare collection at this time.
  3. Wear a cloth face covering – Masks help prevent people who have the illness (even if they do not have symptoms) from spreading it. Dispatchers will request that passengers wear a mask. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or who cannot remove the mask on his/her own. If you do not feel comfortable transporting someone without a mask, please let the dispatch office know.
    Here are a few tips for using a cloth mask:
    • Place your mask over your mouth and nose.
    • Tie it behind your head or use ear loops and make sure it’s snug.
    • Don’t touch your mask while wearing it.
    • If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands.
    • Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face.
    • Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask.
    • Regularly wash your mask with soap and water in the washing machine. It’s fine to launder it with other clothes.
  4. Cover coughs and sneezes – As always, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow, discard the tissue in the trash right away, and refer to tip #1.
  5. Clean and disinfect – Frequently touched surfaces (like, most everything in a vehicle) should be disinfected daily.
    • Hard surfaces can be wiped down with a 70% alcohol solution, a bleach solution or any other EPA registered household disinfectant (e.g. Lysol wipes), used as directed.
    • A 70% alcohol solution can be sprayed on cloth seats to disinfect them. A non-abrasive soap (such as Ivory) and water is recommended for leather seats.
  6. Monitor your health – Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, and take your temperature. If you have any symptoms, aren’t feeling well or have been in contact with someone who is sick, don’t hesitate to call Ready Rides staff and cancel upcoming trips.

Sources for additional information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

https://www.consumerreports.org/tires-car-care/how-to-kill-coronavirus-in-your-car-without-damaging-interior-surfaces/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449

Other helpful information for getting on the road safely

The information below is provided to help you be as safe as possible when you start driving again.