Their decisions are mixed, as some transit officials say they will let riders choose whether to mask, while others say they will keep their masking policies in place. Nearly 2 years after masks were required for US travelers, its abrupt end prompts excitement and confusion among passengers
(Photo by Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images) Steve Pfost/Newsday RM/Getty Images 14, 2020 for customers who refuse to wear a mask on public transportation.Ronkonkoma, N.Y.: Passengers with face masks wait in line at a Frontier Airlines ticket booth inside the main terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, New York on March 25, 2021. Cuomo effective April 17, 2020.Ī $50 fine was implemented on Sept. Wearing a face covering on public transportation in New York was required by law under Executive Order 202.18 issued by Gov. The MTA first launched its Mask Force in order to supplement its existing distribution of masks in the transit system and to acknowledge customers who are already compliant. The Mask Force has distributed more than 550,000 masks since July 2020.Īdditionally, the MTA has distributed to its workforce 17.4 million masks, 19.1 million pairs of gloves, 117,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, 253,000 7-oz and 2-oz bottles of hand sanitizer, 13 million individual sanitizing cleaning wipes, 261,000 gallons of cleaning solution, and 18,000 face shields.
The program focuses primarily on almost a dozen subway stations for maximum line coverage and the busiest bus hubs with broad coverage across New York City.Įmployees and volunteers wear bright yellow t-shirts and vests identifying them as part of the team. The volunteers include top MTA officials and other employees, elected officials and their staffs, advocates, community board members, and members of the riding public. More than 920 people have volunteered for the MTA Mask Force since its inception.
#Mta mask system free#
“As more New Yorkers return to the system, the MTA Mask Force is there for them with plenty of free masks to keep everyone safe,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer. “We’re grateful to our volunteers and anyone who wants to be a part of this great way to help their fellow New Yorkers is encouraged to join.” End of the line: A volunteer distributes masks at the Coney Island-Stilwell Avenue terminal, serving the B,D, F, N and Q trains. The volunteer distribution took place as more New Yorkers are getting vaccinated, and daily subway ridership steadily increases and approaches the two million mark. Free masks are available through various means including the periodic Mask Force events, ambassador programs, at station booths, free mask dispensers on buses and PPE vending machines across the MTA network. Mask usage throughout the subway system has exceeded 98 percent and the MTA’s supply of masks for customers and employees surpasses the 25 million mark.
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