Tinder is warning users about coronavirus: ‘Protecting yourself is more important’
Tinder is encouraging its users to prioritise their health over forming new connections and “having fun” amid fears about coronavirus.
As new coronavirus continues to spread, users of the dating app have reported receiving warnings about the virus, as well as tips for staying safe.
“Your wellbeing is our #1 priority,” the in-app alert reads. “Tinder is a great place to meet new people. While we want you to continue to have fun, protecting yourself from the coronavirus is more important.
“Here are some tips to keep in mind: wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitiser, avoid touching your face, maintain social distance in public gatherings.”
In addition to the warning, the app also directs users to learn more on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website.
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A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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A view of the empty entrance to the Università Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020.
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Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020.
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Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020.
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A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020.
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A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020.
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Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020.
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A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020.
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A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy.
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An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020.
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A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Reuters
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A view of the empty entrance to the Università Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020.
EPA
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Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020.
EPA
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Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020.
EPA
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A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020.
Reuters
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A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020.
EPA
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Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020.
AP
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A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020.
EPA
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A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy.
LaPresse via AP
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An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020.
AFP via Getty
The warning appears while users are swiping through potential matches in the app’s browse function, according to Business Insider.
On social media, where people have shared screenshots of the warning, many are praising the app for keeping the safety of users in mind.
“Tinder is trying to keep me safe from coronavirus so this thing must be bad,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another said: “Tinder is out here providing more coronavirus information than the White House.”
“Getting all my coronavirus advice from my preferred news source, Tinder,” someone else joked.
As of now, new coronavirus has infected more than 93,000 people globally and killed more than 3,200 people.
To stay safe, WHO recommends employing basic cleanliness tactics, such as washing your hands, avoiding touching your mouth, nose or eyes, and maintaining at least a three-foot distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Health officials have also warned people to stop kissing in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
