Uber, Lyft Optional Masking Puts Risk Calculus on Drivers (1)

Uber Technologies Inc.‘s and Lyft Inc.‘s decision to end masking requirements after a judge halted a federal mandate for airplanes, trains, and other public transportation is now putting drivers in the position of deciding whether they want to pick up maskless passengers.

The ride-hailing giants, which announced their new policies shortly after the Florida federal court’s order, said drivers can refuse passengers who don’t want to wear masks. They also eliminated their no-front seat policies.

But the situation feeds into a long-standing debate over the level of control that these drivers, who are classified as independent contractors ...