Bird and Lime, two of the world’s most prominent e-scooter companies, said this week they are redeploying small fleets in Portland.

The return comes nearly two months after both suspended operations in Portland, citing the COVID-19 pandemic. Their reappearance occurs despite the Portland metro area remaining under a stay-home order from Gov. Kate Brown.

That order hasn’t deterred the companies, which both made marketing pitches to woo health care workers to use their services. Nor does the stay-home order direct people not to ride bikes, scooters, skateboards or any other form of transport when going to work, grocery stores or on errands users consider essential.

Maurice Henderson, Bird’s director of government partnerships, is ebullient about his company’s odds of getting patrons to ride e-scooters, which during normal times projected an air of fun and freedom as opposed to essential travel amid a lockdown. Being alone on a scooter instead of sharing a bus or MAX car with others has a new appeal, he noted.

“We still have a long way to go, but today, skies are bluer,” Henderson said. “The air is cleaner. And Bird is the perfect solo ride to get Portlanders where they need to go.”

Bird said it is offering free rides to health care and emergency personnel. “Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute riders per day,” the company said in a statement, for “as long as it takes” to recover from the health crisis.

The company has an online application where eligible workers are asked to submit photos of their work IDs to qualify for the free rides.

Lime is also offering discounts to health care workers through what it’s calling its Lime Aid program, which includes one free 30-minute ride per day, with similar online photo verification.

“The goal is to help workers who might otherwise have difficulty, either because they don’t want to take public transit or rideshare or because the public transit is running with service reductions,” said Alex Youn, a company spokesman. “As you know, scooters offer a socially isolating way of traveling and can help alleviate concerns over traveling in proximity to others. “

Spin and Razor, two other scooter companies, have kept their devices in the city during the pandemic, though the latter reduced its fleet.

John Brady, a city transportation spokesman, confirmed the companies are redeploying limited fleets. Bird has more than 100 scooters, and Lime plans to disperse 200 devices, according to Brady.

“As with any other public transportation option, Portlanders should use e-scooters in accordance with the regulations and guidance from the Governor’s Office and our public health expert,” Brady said in an email. “Trips should be limited to essential travel, to get fresh air close to home or for travel to facilities/businesses that have been allowed to re-open.” Brady said users should “maintain safe physical distancing” and wash or sanitize hands after riding.