Travel in the time of COVID

Coronavirus update 2020

MOVEO STATEMENT ON COVID-19

The global impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has altered and virtually nationalized our ‘normal’ life. This will most likely bring long-lasting change to how we experience and live in our world. moveo regularly monitors the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) websites for COVID-19 guidelines and updates. As they are disseminated, moveo incorporates these recommendations on specific measures that we will exercise to help prevent the spread of the virus. Today, private car service, and moveo’s chauffeured service, in particular, is the cleanest and safest mode of travel with respect to COVID-19. At moveo, our duty of care extends to all of our clients and chauffeurs alike. It lives as an ongoing commitment to protect and safeguard both our passengers and our chauffeurs above all else.

MOVEO VEHICLE SANITATION PROCEDURES

  • Each vehicle’s interior and exterior are thoroughly sanitized before and after every service.

  • The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and used during the deep cleaning and sanitation of each vehicle.

  • We use disinfecting products that are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectants - all proven to eliminate 99% of bacteria and germs, including coronaviruses (e.g. SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19).

  • Our cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting protocols focus on thoroughly disinfecting all frequently touched areas including seats, armrests, headrests, vents, interior/exterior door handles, windows, control switches, seat belts and any other ‘touch-prone’ areas in a vehicle.

  • An additional wipe down after the disinfecting procedures are finished is performed in order to remove any chemical residues and lingering odors.

MOVEO CHAUFFEUR HYGIENE PROCEDURES

As part of upholding the highest standards of service, moveo routinely briefs, updates, and directs its chauffeurs on best practices and sanitation protocols.

  • The conscious practice of personal and vehicle hygiene is a fundamental tenet embraced by moveo chauffeurs. In light of COVID-19, that practice has been taken to a new level. Accordingly, moveo has amended its chauffeur policies to include best practices as set forth by OSHA, the CDC, and WHO. 

  • For personal hygiene, this starts with the policy of ‘continuous handwashing.’ In accordance with the OSHA best practices, proper preventive hygiene for those in contact with the public includes:

    • handwashing, 1) whenever possible, and 2) always washing hands between each ride and/or stop

    • wearing of a mask or other covering of the nose and mouth when near passengers or in confined spaces with passengers

    • never touch your eyes, nose, or mouth during a ride

    • never touch a passenger for any reason

  • Two hours prior to every service, chauffeurs will receive a notification confirming that they have enacted all moveo service and sanitation protocols. 

  • Once complete, chauffeurs are required to confirm that they have properly cleansed (cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected) themselves and their vehicles. This must be completed prior to departing for pickups.

  • Chauffeurs who are exhibiting symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19, will be removed from future services and require a physician’s clearance in order to deliver services once more.

For vehicle hygiene, see “MOVEO VEHICLE SANITATION PROCEDURES.”

MOVEO SERVICE PROCEDURES AND CHANGES

  • moveo’s standard policy for providing basic passenger consumables (e.g. snacks, mints, water, tissues, etc.) have been amended and limited to only tissues and bottles of water, both of which are now provided only in individual or one-use packaging.

  • In addition to the consumables above, chauffeurs offer passengers (to accept at their discretion) disinfectant hand wipes and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which are not in one-use individual packaging.

  • In addition to pre-ride cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures, all moveo chauffeurs perform a wipe down of luggage handles, or any other passenger personal effects handled or stowed by their chauffeur before passenger hand-off.

  • The common chauffeur courtesy of greeting passengers with a handshake has been replaced with a simple bow, a tip of the hat and/or an informal greeting salute. 

  • We have removed all other passenger convenience items and frequently touched items such as reading material and cell phone chargers.

  • moveo requires that all passengers, including the chauffeur, are seated as far apart as a vehicle configuration allows during the service. This is accomplished in part by significantly limiting the passenger count for all vehicles. Approximate passenger capacities for service during COVID-19 are approximately 50% of normal (this includes not allowing passengers to ride in the front seat) in order to equally provide all of our passengers with a safe and responsible level of service. 

  • Passengers exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms or that have tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to refrain from booking services until a physician has cleared them to travel.

  • moveo will closely and continuously monitor all global, national, and local travel constraints and restrictions. This shall include short-haul and medium-haul travel that cross any state lines. All booked services that are directly affected by any travel constraints and restrictions will be brought to the passenger’s attention. In the current COVID-19 environment, moveo will allow changes to its cancellation policy. 

FAQs

  • Can I still book black car service anywhere around the world during the COVID-19 shut-down?

    • moveo will continue to offer services in every U.S. city, over 100 countries, and 400 cities worldwide in accordance with all country and local travel restrictions. However, at this time, any services that require the crossing of country borders are prohibited.

  • Which vehicles are safe for social distancing?

    • moveo uses vehicles that are full-sized SUVs, vans, sprinters, specialty vehicles, minibuses, and motor coaches. In consideration of the health safety of our passengers and chauffeurs, our business and first-class sedans are not recommended at this time.

  • What are the most commonly used airport transportation alternatives?

    • Concerning the recent flight limitations, moveo’s short-haul and medium-haul services have become an essential option for those needing to return home, traveling for mission-critical responsibilities, or hosting small group company meetings. Services that focus on travel to a safer location, especially for elderly passengers, are common.

  • Will chauffeurs still assist with luggage during Coronavirus restrictions?

    • moveo chauffeurs will continue to provide the customary luggage assistance, in addition to wiping down all luggage handles at inception and completion of service. If the passenger would prefer to handle the luggage themselves, simply allow the chauffeur to open and close the luggage compartment in order to minimize surface contact.

  • Do you offer services from city to city?

    • moveo’s short-haul and medium-haul services provide essential service now that flights are limited or unavailable between cities. We will ensure your travel between cities is in a safe, healthy environment.

KEY TERMS 

Coronavirus

The term “coronavirus” refers to a large group of viruses known to affect birds and mammals, including humans. COVID-19, which first appeared in China in December 2019, is a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are named for the spiky projections on their surface. These resemble the points on a crown (corona means “crown” in Latin). There are hundreds of coronaviruses, but only several are known to affect people. Four human coronaviruses only cause mild cold or flu-like symptoms. The other three coronaviruses, including COVID-19, pose more serious risks.

Cleansing Protocols

There is some confusion with respect to what constitutes cleaning or disinfection. Though there is no universal consensus for the different terms, moveo is adopting what the CDC uses as distinctions as set forth by the CDC below.

  • Cleaning 

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from these surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

  • Sanitizing

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitizing is meant to reduce, not kill, the occurrence and growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Disinfecting a surface will “kill” the microscopic organisms as claimed on the label of a particular product. The minimum level of effectiveness in a modern-day disinfectant is 100 percent kill of 6 of 10 of an organism.

  • Disinfecting 

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

  • Cleansing

Cleansing is a generic term that best encapsulates all three of the above distinctions. Cleansing (or cleanse) can be used as a reference to one or all of them. When referencing a specific process the three terms above are used explicitly