Home California BART Board Votes to Reinstitute Mask Mandate Effective Immediately

BART Board Votes to Reinstitute Mask Mandate Effective Immediately

Press Release

by ECT

The BART Board of Directors today voted to reinstitute a face mask requirement effective immediately until and inclusive of October 1, 2022, unless further extended by the board.

The temporary amendment to the District’s Code of Conduct requires riders to wear face masks that fully cover a person’s nose and mouth in paid areas of the system with limited exceptions. This requirement applies to trains and all portions of stations beyond the fare gates. Children ages two and under as well as people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate.

The Board will agendize an action item at the September 22, 2022, meeting to determine if the mandate should be extended.

Free face masks are available at station agent booths and from all safety staff for those who need one. BART PD will continue its education-based enforcement of the mask requirement by offering free masks to anyone who needs one before taking any enforcement action which could include a citation up to $75 or being ejected from the paid area.

Throughout the pandemic BART has prioritized the safety of riders. BART has installed MERV 14 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) air filters on all train cars new and old. These filters are dense enough to trap the virus and provide an extra layer of protection to our riders. Air is replaced every 70 seconds onboard cars mixing filtered air with fresh air. That means the circulation on BART train cars is better than most offices.


Previous History:

July 26, 2022 Update

The Board will vote to require face masks (fully covering nose and mouth) while inside the paid area of BART until October 1, 2022, unless further extended by Board resolution. Currently masks are strongly encouraged.

July 18, 2022 Update

The mask mandate expired July 18, 2022. BART strongly encourages riders to wear masks in the system. Free masks will continue to be made available at station agent booths as well as from safety personnel. BART trains feature robust air circulation including MERV-14 air filters on all cars that are dense enough to trap the virus. Air is replaced every 70 seconds onboard train cars.


April 28, 2022 Update

On April 28, 2022, the BART Board of Directors approved a temporary amendment to the District’s Code of Conduct to require riders to wear masks in paid areas of the system with limited exceptions. This requirement applies to trains and all portions of stations beyond the fare gates. Children ages two and under as well as people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate. The rule is effective until July 18, 2022, unless it is extended by the BART Board.

Free masks are available at station agent booths and from all safety staff for those who need one. As with the previous federal mandate, BART PD will continue its education-based enforcement of the mask requirement by offering free masks to anyone who needs one before taking any enforcement action which could include a citation up to $75 or being ejected from the paid area.

Throughout the pandemic BART has prioritized the safety of riders. BART has installed MERV 14 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) air filters on all train cars new and old. These filters are dense enough to trap the virus and provide an extra layer of protection to our riders. Air is replaced every 70 seconds onboard cars mixing filtered air with fresh air. That means the circulation on BART train cars is better than most offices. In addition, all BART employees are fully vaccinated.


April 20, 2022 Update (4:45pm)

BART has confirmed there are no longer any federal, state, or local level directives that enable a mask mandate on BART. Like other transit agencies, BART’s mandate was based on the now withdrawn TSA directive. In addition, on Wednesday, April 20, the California Department of Public Health terminated their statewide order requiring masks on transit and is now strongly recommending people wear masks on transit.

Pending any future developments from the local, state, or federal level, masks are now optional and strongly encouraged on BART.

BART Board President Rebecca Saltzman announced the Board of Directors will consider a proposal to continue to require masks in the BART system at its next meeting on Thursday, April 28.

Free masks are still available from all station agent booths and from all safety staff for those who need a mask or forgot one.

BART has Merv 14 air filters on all train cars new and old. These filters are dense enough to trap the virus and provide an extra layer of protection to our riders. Air is replaced every 70 seconds on board cars mixing filtered air with fresh air.

All BART employees are fully vaccinated.


April 19, 2022 Update:

BART officials are currently touching base with other transit agencies in the Bay Area and looking to see if there is any movement on the local, state, or federal, level about a mask mandate for transit. BART hasn’t made an official or final determination if a mask mandate will continue on BART.

Once we make an official determination, we will communicate it.


April 14, 2022 Update:

The TSA extended the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs through May 3, 2022.


March 10, 2022 Updated

At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th.


December 2, 2021 Updated

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is extending the face mask requirement for all individuals in indoor areas of public transit facilities and on trains through March 18, 2022.


August 20, 2021 Updated

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued an updated Security Directive that requires face coverings for all individuals in indoor areas of public transit facilities and on trains through at least January 18, 2022. According to current CDC guidance, persons in outdoor areas of transit stations are encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering.

Updated signs have been posted at the entrance of all BART stations about the requirement and timeline.


June 14, 2021 Update

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has an active Security Directive that requires face coverings for all individuals in indoor areas of public transit facilities and on trains through at least Sept 13, 2021. According to current CDC guidance, persons in outdoor areas of transit stations are encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering.

Signs have been posted at the entrance of all BART stations about the requirement and timeline.


2/1/21 Update:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order on January 29, 2021, requiring the public to wear face masks while on transit. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a Security Directive (SD) January 31, 2021 that is effective February 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. The SD was issued to enforce the requirements of the CDC Order mandating masks as well as implement President Biden’s Executive Order issued on January 21, 2021.

BART has had a face covering mandate since April 22, 2020 due to local county ordinances. This will continue.

 

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