BART board votes to reinstate mask mandate effective immediately until Oct. 1

FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- The BART Board of Directors has voted to reinstate the mask mandate on trains and at stations effective immediately until Oct. 1 unless further extended by the board.

The temporary amendment requires riders to wear facemasks that fully cover their nose and mouth. Children ages two and under as well as people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate.



According to BART officials, on Sept. 22 the board will meet again to determine if the mandate should be extended.

BART police will be enforcing this mask requirement by offering free masks to anyone who needs one before issuing citations of up to $75 or ejecting riders from trains and stations.

RELATED: Face masks no longer required on BART as mandate expires


BART mentioned multiple times their trains do a strong job of circulating air saying it is replaced every 70 seconds.

This comes as the current surge in COVID-19 cases may have peaked, per some experts, but reminding people the omicron subvariants transmit fast.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live