Tinder warns users to ‘maintain social distance’ amid coronavirus outbreak

The dating app Tinder is warning users to take precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“Your wellbeing is our #1 priority,” reads an in-app ad that links to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus.

“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,” the ad continues. The virus has been reported in 18 states as of Thursday.

Tinder recommends preventive measures including washing hands, carrying hand sanitizer, avoiding “touching your face” and maintaining “social distance in public gatherings.”

Some users questioned whether the nature of a dating app and the advice to “maintain social distance” was compatible.

Tinder recommending to ‘maintain social distance in public gatherings’ to avoid coronavirus feels quite ironic given the nature of the app is to not maintain social distance pic.twitter.com/QoSBeNNPdN

— Georgia Bailey (@jorjafaith) March 5, 2020

Other Tinder users have pointed out, some jokingly, that the spread of coronavirus is already impacting their dating habits.

I was talking to a man on tinder and I told him I was traveling and he said “with this corona virus!?” Then unmatched me

Dating is maybe the most fun thing I’ve ever done.

— nicole byer (@nicolebyer) March 5, 2020

IM SCREAMING #tinder #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/7gXHP8K1yb

— ✧ ♥︎ Laura ♥︎ ✧ (@cluelesslaura) February 17, 2020

Tinder did not comment when asked about the warning.

Hinge, another dating app, said it does not have plans to share coronavirus information within the app at this time.

Other popular dating apps Bumble and OkCupid did not respond to requests for comment on their plans to address the spread of coronavirus.

Updated at 7:24 p.m.