TransLink says passengers must now wear masks while boarding or waiting for transit at any indoor or sheltered stations and stops.
The policy change came after the province’s new rules requiring a mask to be worn in all indoor, public spaces.
Transit riders were required to wear masks on transit vehicles. The new rules extend the policy to include stations, platforms, bus stops, bus loops, and bus exchanges.
Face shields are no longer a suitable option in place of a non-medical mask or face covering.
“Approximately 95 per cent of customers are wearing masks on transit and TransLink expects all customers to comply with the changes required as part of the Ministerial Order,” a TransLink press release reads.
Transit police will enforce the order and can issue $230 fines, TransLink said.
Before issuing a fine, Transit Police will conduct standard inquiries with any customer not wearing an appropriate mask or face covering.
Customers who see others not following the rules can notify TransLink’s Customer Information team. Riders should not try to enforce the mask order themselves.
The province’s mask mandate allows for exemptions.
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Anyone under the age of 12 is not legally required to wear a mask, but the province recommends that anyone two years of age and older should wear a mask when in public indoor spaces.
People who can’t physically or psychologically put on a mask or who can’t wear a mask without the assistance of others are exempt.
TransLink had offered qualified customers a TransLink-branded card that notes they are exempt from wearing a face-covering, but will stop issuing the cards as it is unable to exempt customers from a ministerial order.