BC TRANSIT TO MANDATE FACE COVERINGS
The following media release has been issued by BC Transit on August 6, 2020. Please note, the mandatory use of face coverings will apply to West Kootenay Transit, including buses in Nelson.
GLOBAL - BC Transit, in alignment with TransLink and other transportation agencies, will be proceeding with mandatory use of face coverings on buses in BC Transit communities across the Province as of August 24.
Accommodations will be permitted for children under the age of 5 and those that cannot wear a face covering for health reasons.
We recognize the advice from health professionals, including Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, has been to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible including on transit vehicles. Customers have indicated making the use of face coverings mandatory will create a more comfortable environment.
While face coverings will be mandatory, the policy will be implemented as an educational step without enforcement. The educational position is aligned with TransLink and other transit agencies in Canada.
We will work hard to ensure customers are aware of our new policy over the coming weeks and work together to make transit a comfortable environment for staff and customers.
The Together We Ride campaign continues across the province, promoting the need to work together to make the transit journey comfortable for customers. Details are available here: bctransit.com/together-we-ride
BC Transit and our local government partners are working on plans to hand out promotional face coverings later this summer. Stay tuned for more details!
For more details about the mandatory mask policy and BC Transit’s response to COVID-19, please visit bctransit.com or call your local transit office.
Photo Credit: Global News