by Andre Haddad
posted on March 19, 2020
FrançaisI know there’s a lot of concern and questions swirling around COVID-19, and, like they are for you, things are developing day by day for us.
Circumstances as they are right now might change by tomorrow, but in the spirit of connecting with each other during this unsettling time, I wanted to provide some updates and recommendations as we navigate this new world together.
Prioritize your health & safety first
It’s critical to abide by all regulations and requirements set by the CDC and your local government — stay inside and avoid social contact, maintaining six feet between you and others. Wash your hands well and often, and sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched. Avoid crowds and public transportation, and if need be, guests and hosts should cancel upcoming Turo trips if they feel they jeopardize the health and safety of those around you — any cancellation fee will be waived per our extenuating circumstances policy for both hosts and guests.
For hosts who’d like to continue sharing their cars during this time, please disinfect your car after every trip and avoid meeting guests in person. You can set up remote key handoffs via lockbox or by digitally upgrading to Turo Go if you’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, or San Diego. See more tips for supporting your local community below.
For guests who continue to book cars, please bring your own wipes and sanitizers to act as an extra safety measure and to bring you added peace of mind.
Turo & our hosts are here if you need us
We stand with health officials in recommending that you avoid non-essential travel in the interest of preserving public health.
If you need transportation to get essential supplies, to get to a health care appointment, or to go to sanctioned, essential workplaces (healthcare workers, first responders, etc.), however, Turo is here to help you gain access to mobility if you need it, while helping to generate income for hosts affected by the current economic climate.
Ways to support your local community with your car
For the time being, Turo remains a solid option for people who may still need access to a car. And for hosts who’d like to continue sharing their cars and helping to support your local community, try these quick adjustments to your settings:
- Shorten your advance notice to accept trips with less than a day of lead time
- Enable Book Instantly so they can book your car without waiting for manual approval
- Lower your minimum trip duration to accept shorter, 1–2 day trips
And remember to disinfect all surfaces thoroughly and often.
As we continue to navigate this crisis together, please refer to our COVID-19 support page where we’ll provide answers to FAQs and other COVID-19-related guidance for hosts.
This remains an unprecedented and unsettling moment for us all. In times like these, we must prioritize what’s best for the public good, even if it isn’t necessarily what’s best for business. We’ll continue to communicate updates as needed, but for now, hunker down and stay safe, everyone.
My very best wishes to you all, and here’s to sticking together and looking forward to brighter times ahead,
Andre
Andre Haddad
Andre is the Turo CEO and a true car enthusiast. After many years in the consumer web space, he combines his passion for cars, technology, and the environment each day at Turo as he works to put the world’s one billion cars to better use.
