We’ve got you covered! Grand River Transit to distribute free masks as part of education campaign

Waterloo Region – Grand River Transit (GRT) is distributing free masks to transit customers beginning Monday, July 13, 2020, the same day the new face covering by-law takes effect.

“We know that not everyone has access to masks or face coverings and we want to be proactive in supporting our customers with this change,” says Peter Zinck, Director of Transit Services. “Masks or face coverings are another tool to help keep our system safe, protect one another, and limit the spread of COVID-19. We also understand that not everyone can wear a mask and are confident our customers will continue to show kindness and respect towards each other with that in mind.”

GRT staff will distribute 40,000 non-medical masks over the coming weeks as part the education campaign, “We’ve got you covered.” Half of the masks will be disposable masks (one-time use). The other half will be reusable (washable) masks distributed beginning July 20.

GRT staff will distribute the masks at select locations, while quantities last. Details on where customers can get a mask will be available at grt.ca/mask.

Earlier this month, Regional Council passed by-laws that require the wearing of masks or other face coverings on transit and in enclosed public places. GRT employees and customers are required to cover their nose, mouth and chin when travelling on conventional buses, MobilityPLUS, BusPlus, Kiwanis and ION trains. Masks are also required inside bus shelters, on transit station platforms and in GRT customer service locations.

There are some exemptions to the face covering by-law, including children under the age of five, people with medical conditions or those unable to put on or take off a face covering.

Over the past several months, GRT has implemented a number of safety measures to keep the system clean and safe. Along with the new mask mandate, these measures continue and include the frequent disinfecting of surfaces on buses, trains and stations, the application of a long lasting anti-microbial solution to vehicles and asking customers to physically distance and wash/sanitize their hands frequently.

For media inquires, please contact:

Sandy Roberts, Manager Marketing, Communications, and Customer Service, Transit Services – sroberts@regionofwaterloo.ca, or 519-897-0097.