Canadian government makes masks mandatory for transportation sector
Published June 3, 2020 at 11:15 pm
The Federal Government is implementing new safety requirements for the Canadian transportation sector.
The Federal Government is implementing new safety requirements for the Canadian transportation sector.
During the pandemic, Transport Canada has enhanced safety precautions in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including increasing sanitization, health checks for passengers, and allowing passengers to remain in their vehicles on ferries.
However, despite their best efforts, there are moments when workers will inevitably come into close contact with co-workers and travellers.
As a result, Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, has announced he is expanding the expanding the requirements for the use of face coverings by workers and others involved in the transportation system.
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These new stipulations will complement recent requirements that passengers wear masks when travelling by air, marine, and rail.
The measures will be implemented through a combination of mandatory orders and guidance:
Aviation
- Expand the existing face covering / non-medical mask requirements beyond passengers to include some flight crew and airport workers.
- These measures come into effect at noon EDT on June 4, 2020.
Marine
- Issue guidance recommending that all workers in the marine transportation sector have in their possession a face covering, and recommend that face coverings be worn using a risk-based approach specific to the unique circumstances of the workplace, when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and/or when local authorities require it.
Rail
- Issue guidance requiring rail operators to notify passengers that they will be asked to wear a face covering when physical distancing of two metres from others cannot be maintained, or as requested by rail operators.
- Provide or make accessible a face covering to all workers in the rail industry.
- Ensure a face covering be worn by workers on a risk-based approach specific to the unique circumstances of the workplace, when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and/or when local authorities require it.
Road
- Establish a set of practices for the use of personal protective equipment, including face coverings in road transportation (i.e., trucking, motor coach, transit), in collaboration with provinces, territories and industry.
“My top concern continues to be the wellbeing of the transportation workers and the travelling public. The measures we are putting in place today will further reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for transportation workers and passengers,” Garneau said in a news release.
“The use of face coverings can limit the transmission of the virus where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Transport Canada will continue to ensure various transportation systems adapt to the most effective, preventive measures to protect Canadians,” he continued.
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