OC Transpo asks riders to consider wearing non-medical mask on buses, trains

OTTAWA -- OC Transpo riders are being asked to wear a face mask while riding the Confederation Line and buses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a message on Twitter, OC Transpo said “please consider wearing a non-medical mask on public transit.”

“Ottawa Public Health says that non-medical masks may help limit the spread of COVID-19 in situations where it may be hard to always maintain physical distancing, like on public transit or in grocery stores.”

Please consider wearing a non-medical mask on public transit.@ottawahealth says that non-medical masks may help limit the spread of COVID-19 in situations where it may be hard to always maintain physical distancing, like on public transit or in grocery stores. pic.twitter.com/QjFlGNYe4J

— OC Transpo (@OC_Transpo) May 4, 2020

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the health unit says “Ottawa Public Health recommends that residents continue to maintain physical distancing of two metres from others, and to wear a non-medical mask when the distance cannot be maintained to decrease transmission of COVID-19."

OC Transpo has previously said it has taken several steps to protect riders and OC Transpo employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Implement rear-door boarding for customers on all conventional buses
• Closed the doors closest to operator cabs on the Confederation Line and installed tape to block the doors and area closest to the operator cab
• Only one Para Transpo passenger on a vehicle