Beginning Monday, August 24, BC Transit will require customers to wear non-medical masks or face coverings on local buses.
“We recognize that the advice from health professionals has been to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible, including on transit vehicles,” BC Transit said.
BC Transit said customers have also indicated that face masks will create a more comfortable environment in the buses.
Customers who are unable to wear face coverings due to an underlying medical condition or disability will be exempt from this policy.
Children under five will also be exempt from wearing face masks.
While face coverings will be mandatory, the policy will be implemented as an educational step without enforcement, the agency said.
BC Transit and its local government partners are also planning to hand out promotional face coverings later this summer.
“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 agency said.
