Scoop’s latest on COVID-19 and keeping the Scoop community safe

The health and safety of our Scoop community is our top priority. As we continue to monitor the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic, our Scoop Trust and Safety team will continue to share updates on the current situation that may temporarily impact your Scoop experience.

Questions? Reach out to us – ScoopCare is here to help.

Scoop’s New Health and Safety Guidelines

Update: 5/1/20

In order to continue to provide a safe and reliable Scoop experience for our community in light of COVID-19, we’ve evolved the carpool experience and moved carpooler health to the forefront of everything we do. As part of this effort, we’ve implemented new health and safety guidelines to keep our community safe when commuting to essential jobs. These guidelines involve changes to the in-car experience in order to decrease the risk of potential exposure and comply with public health recommendations from the CDC and the WHO. We recognize that these changes to the Scoop experience, just like many other changes we’re experiencing in our day-to-day lives, may feel odd or uncomfortable at first. We want to thank our carpoolers for continuing to embrace the values of teamwork, respect, safety, and authenticity as we navigate this new normal.

All carpoolers must comply with the following guidelines to use Scoop. Please note that these guidelines are subject to change to comply with updated public health recommendations. Carpoolers should check back regularly to confirm they’re complying with the most up-to-date information.

• All carpoolers must be symptom-free. In order to schedule and take a Scoop trip, every carpooler must meet the following requirements:
• You must have been symptom-free for the prior 14 days
• You must not have been exposed to anyone with known or suspected COVID-19 within the prior 14 days
• If you tested positive for COVID-19 and were never symptomatic, you are required to wait 14 days from the day of your positive test to schedule a carpool.

• Masks required. All carpoolers must wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth during all trips. Please refer to the CDC for information on how to correctly wear a mask and for instructions on how to make a mask at home.

• Two-person carpools only. All carpools will have a maximum of two people to create as much physical distance as possible in the car. Additional passengers are not allowed.

• No physical contact. Carpoolers are not allowed to have any physical contact and should maintain appropriate physical distancing when entering and exiting the vehicle.

• Riders must sit in the back. Riders are required to sit in the back right seat diagonal from the Driver.
  
• No two-seater vehicles allowed. Drivers should not schedule a trip if they drive a two-seater vehicle or coupe.

• Drivers must disinfect common surfaces between carpools. Drivers are responsible for making sure the Rider’s seat, armrests, and door handles are disinfected after each carpool.

• Follow good hygiene practices. All carpoolers are encouraged to wash their hands before and after each carpool, in addition to following other good hygiene practices outlined by the CDC.

• Increased airflow encouraged. Carpoolers are encouraged to increase the airflow into the car during trips by opening the front passenger window and the diagonal rear window. Carpoolers are discouraged from using air conditioning during trips.

The Scoop community is built on the belief that together we can improve the commute. Now, more than ever, working together, supporting each other, and holding one another accountable is crucial. If you see a fellow carpooler in violation of these guidelines, kindly and respectfully say something. If the issue cannot be resolved safely, carpoolers should cancel the carpool and contact ScoopCare.

How is COVID-19 impacting Scoop carpools?

Update: 3/18/20

Scoop is still currently operating in all markets. We want to continue to be a reliable transportation option for those working in essential roles who need it most.

In the interest of keeping our community across the nation safe and supporting social distancing efforts, we are strongly recommending that only individuals who are commuting to essential jobs should use Scoop.

Essential jobs include healthcare operations, essential businesses, essential infrastructure, or essential government functions, as dictated by your local government. To know whether your role qualifies as an essential job, please confirm directly with your employer. If this does not apply to you, we ask that you please do not use Scoop for the time being.

Scoop carpools for essential commutes

For those of you in essential jobs, we thank you for all that you’re doing to help keep our communities safe and healthy. To support our carpoolers who rely on Scoop to carry out essential jobs, we’ve instituted the following changes to keep our carpoolers safe and in support of social distancing practices.

• As of Wednesday, March 18, all carpools will have a maximum of two people to limit physical proximity.
• If you’re a Rider, we ask that you please sit in the backseat so there is space between you and the Driver.
• If you’re a Driver, please be mindful of the cleanliness of your car. Please wipe down your car seats, door handles, and seatbelts with disinfectant after every carpool. If this is not possible, we respectfully ask you to drive alone.  
• We have removed all scheduling reminders and text messages from the Scoop app to discourage unnecessary trips.

How is Scoop working with employers to monitor COVID-19?

Our top priority is the health and safety of our community, which is why our Trust & Safety team is continuing to monitor the latest developments from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other health experts to inform policies and procedures.

In addition to the above, we’re continuing to work directly with employers who partner with Scoop to give you the correct and current guidance based on your office location and company policies. We know that this is an evolving situation and will continue to provide relevant communications to keep our community updated.

We understand that this situation is evolving and can be stressful, and we encourage you to continue to be kind and understanding to all community members during this time. Thank you for continuing to be a thoughtful and considerate member of the Scoop Community.

Where can I get the latest information about COVID-19?

Both the CDC and the WHO are continually updating their sites with the latest information about COVID-19. In addition, please also remember to check with and follow your employer’s policies, and contact them directly with any questions.

What can I do to protect myself from COVID-19?

The CDC suggests the following preventive measures to protect yourself from COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay away from work, school, or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough or if you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
• Call a healthcare professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19, or live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.