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You can't wear a face shield in place of a mask on transit, says TransLink

TransLink has toughed its rules on wearing masks on transit in the wake of recent incidents, including a confrontation involving a bus driver arguing with a passenger for not wearing a mask.
translink masks
TransLink says it will be mandatory to wear a non-medical mask or face covering on transit as of Aug. 24.

TransLink has toughed its rules on wearing masks on transit in the wake of recent incidents, including a confrontation involving a bus driver arguing with a passenger for not wearing a mask.

This includes no longer accepting face shields instead of masks.

Customers must now wear masks while boarding or waiting for transit at any indoor or sheltered stations and stops, as a result of the new ministerial order mandating mask use, said a TransLink news release.

Specific changes customers must now observe are as follows:

  • In addition to transit vehicles, masks are now required at any indoor or sheltered location where people are boarding or waiting for transit, including 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.
  • TransLink will suspend the issuance of exemption cards given we are not able to exempt customers from a Ministerial Order. The Ministerial Order does allow for certain exemptions, which can be found here.
  • Transit Police will conduct standard inquiries with any customer not wearing an appropriate mask or face covering.

Approximately 95% of customers are wearing masks on transit, said TransLink.

Transit Police can issue fines of $230, subject to the exemptions set out in the order.

Customers who observe others not following the rules can report these instances to TransLink’s Customer Information team.