Transit riders will be required to wear face coverings or non-medical masks starting later this month, TransLink announced Thursday.
The transit authority called the new measure “essential” to ensuring customers’ confidence as the economy continues to reopen and people return to the transit system.
While Transit Police will be able to enforce a rule or signage requiring face coverings on transit, the initial focus of the policy will be on education and awareness, according to TransLink.
Frontline employees may also inform or remind customers to wear a mask while onboard transit.
“TransLink’s decision to make masks mandatory on their vehicles will help make transit safer for passengers, and we can make it safer for our fellow passengers when we wear a mask,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in a press release.
The mandatory measure kicks in Monday, Aug. 24.
However, people who are unable to wear face coverings due to an underlying medical condition or disability will be exempt from the new policy, and won’t be asked to wear a mask or face covering, according to TransLink.
The transit authority says that these customers will be able to request a TransLink-branded card, which notes they are exempt from wearing a face mask.
The cards will be made available at Compass Customer Service Centres at Stadium-Chinatown and Waterfront Stations.
“Physical distancing is not always going to be possible on transit, particularly once more riders return to the system,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond, in the release.
“Customer confidence is key to rebuilding ridership in the context of this pandemic, and we believe this step is important to bring many of our riders back. We’ve listened to transit users who want to see face coverings made mandatory on transit vehicles.”
Desmond said the move was made in tandem with BC Transit, which also announced a mandatory mask policy Thursday, also effective as of Aug. 24.
Henry said that those who are able to wear masks on transit should do so “all the time.”
“I do and I expect others to as well,” she said.
Exemptions for the mandatory mask policy include:
- Anyone with an underlying medical condition or disability which inhibits the ability to wear a mask or face covering;
- Persons unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance;
- Children under 5 years of age;
- Employees working behind a physical barrier or within areas designated for employees and not for public access;
- Police, employees, or first responders in an emergency.
Bus operators won't be required to wear a mask as they are already separated from customers by a physical barrier, Desmond said during a press conference Thursday afternoon.
"The bus operator, when they're in the vehicle, as long as they're behind the barrier, do not need to wear a mask," he said.
