Uber Suspends 240 User Accounts Over Coronavirus Fears

(Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Uber has temporarily suspended 240 user accounts in Mexico as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The 240 users rode with two Uber drivers who came in contact with a suspected coronavirus carrier, according to a statement Uber on Saturday on the company's Mexico Twitter account.

Uber took action after receiving a notice on Jan.

31 from the Ministry of Health of Mexico City, which requested information about the suspected coronavirus carrier and the two Uber drivers with whom the person rode.

According to a now deleted post from Mexico's Ministry of Health, the suspected carrier flew from Los Angeles to Mexico City on Jan.

20 and then booked an Uber to reach a Hilton hotel.

Two days later, he took an Uber again to reach the airport to fly back to Los Angeles.

US authorities then notified Mexico about the suspected coronavirus carrier about a week later.

In response, Uber has been notifying affected users about the coronavirus case, and the reason for the suspension.

The two drivers have also had their accounts temporarily deactivated.

"We will keep users and drivers informed with respect to any update of their accounts," Uber told Bloomberg.

So far, there's been no official case of coronavirus in Mexico.

However, there's been 11 confirmed cases in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Uber hasn't commented on whether it'll suspend user accounts in the US.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus has spread to 14,441 confirmed cases in China, and resulted in 304 deaths, the World Health Organization said on Sunday.

The ongoing outbreak has prompted Apple to close stores in the country and may threaten China's manufacturing output for TV and PC monitor display panels in the weeks ahead.

(Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Uber has temporarily suspended 240 user accounts in Mexico as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The 240 users rode with two Uber drivers who came in contact with a suspected coronavirus carrier, according to a statement Uber on Saturday on the company's Mexico Twitter account.

Uber took action after receiving a notice on Jan.

31 from the Ministry of Health of Mexico City, which requested information about the suspected coronavirus carrier and the two Uber drivers with whom the person rode.

According to a now deleted post from Mexico's Ministry of Health, the suspected carrier flew from Los Angeles to Mexico City on Jan.

20 and then booked an Uber to reach a Hilton hotel.

Two days later, he took an Uber again to reach the airport to fly back to Los Angeles.

US authorities then notified Mexico about the suspected coronavirus carrier about a week later.

In response, Uber has been notifying affected users about the coronavirus case, and the reason for the suspension.

The two drivers have also had their accounts temporarily deactivated.

"We will keep users and drivers informed with respect to any update of their accounts," Uber told Bloomberg.

So far, there's been no official case of coronavirus in Mexico.

However, there's been 11 confirmed cases in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Uber hasn't commented on whether it'll suspend user accounts in the US.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus has spread to 14,441 confirmed cases in China, and resulted in 304 deaths, the World Health Organization said on Sunday.

The ongoing outbreak has prompted Apple to close stores in the country and may threaten China's manufacturing output for TV and PC monitor display panels in the weeks ahead.