Masks mandatory on Saskatoon Transit buses starting Tuesday

Saskatoon Transit bus riders will have to wear masks starting on Tuesday.

City councillors voted Monday to make the move official, after a preliminary vote in support of mandatory masks last week.

Monday's vote was unanimous.

Councillors also approved a plan that would see the city recommend people wear masks when they visit city-owned facilities like Shaw Centre and the city's leisure centres. 

The city will provide free masks for riders for two weeks, at a cost of $19,250.

At last week's meeting, transit manager Jim McDonald said that drivers would not be responsible for enforcing the measure and would call police if necessary.

Councillors were presented with three options, including not mandating mask use on buses.

They were also given the option to require masks when people visit city-owned facilities like leisure centres. The committee voted against that recommendation, although mask use is still encouraged.

Two weeks ago, city councillors in Regina voted to make masks mandatory on buses.

CBC Saskatchewan wants to tell more stories about how the pandemic is touching the province's most vulnerable and marginalized populations. How has COVID-19 affected you? Share your story with our online questionnaire.