The CDC issued an Order on January 29, 2021 that requires the public to wear face masks on all forms of public transportation.
Effective February 1, 2021 at 11:59 pm, here’s what that means for Okaloosa County Transit riders:
A conveyance operator (transit system) must require all persons on board the conveyance to wear a mask for the duration of their travel. A transit system must use their “best efforts” to ensure all persons wear a mask.
Best efforts are described as:
- Boarding only those persons who wear masks;
- Instructing persons that Federal law requires wearing a mask on the conveyance and failure to comply constitutes a violation of Federal law;
- Monitoring persons onboard the conveyance for anyone who is not wearing a mask and seek compliance from such persons;
- At the earliest opportunity, disembarking any person who refuses to comply; and
- Providing persons with prominent and adequate notice to facilitate awareness and compliance of the requires of this Order to wear a mask; best practices may include, if feasible, advance notifications on digital platforms, such as on apps, websites, or email; posted signage in multiple languages with illustrations; printing the requirement on transit tickets; or other methods as appropriate.
The Order defines a mask as material covering the nose and mouth of the wearer and excludes face shields.
Transportation hub means any airport, bus terminal, marina, seaport or other port, subway station, terminal (including any fixed facility at which passengers are picked-up or discharged), train station and transportation hub operator means an individual operating a transportation hub and an individual or organization causing or authorizing the operation of a transportation hub.
