VIA Rail is making masks mandatory for all customers next week

VIA Rail says all customers will have to wear face masks during their journeys to prevent coronavirus transmission starting Tuesday, June 23.

The Canadian train company announced its new mandatory mask police in a news release Friday afternoon.

“This is necessary as the economy is gradually reopening and VIA Rail sees an increase in ridership and as the safety and well-being of both our employees and our passengers remains our top priority,” it said.

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Passengers will be allowed to temporarily remove their mask to eat or sip from a drink. Small children, people with medical conditions that prevent mask-wearing, and people who need assistance to put on a mask will also not have to wear them.

Customer-facing employees with VIA Rail will also be required to wear masks. More information about the new police is available on VIA Rail’s website.