NEW YORK – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reminds users of public transportation that the use of masks is still mandatory.
To incentivize users, as more New Yorkers return to the office and schools, the agency will begin distributing masks to continue to protect everyone from the transmission of COVID-19.
MTA staff and Police officers will be at train and subway centers and bus terminals to distribute free masks to passengers who are not wearing one.
“The delta variant of COVID-19 should be taken seriously, and with more customers expected to be in the system, it is vital to remind everyone of the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing a mask,” said Patrick Warren, safety director for the MTA. “The science is clear, face wraps help reduce the spread of germs and viruses, and for the next several weeks we will be in our operational region, reinforcing that message. Regardless of your vaccination status, you must wear a mask. “
The goal is to achieve near-universal compliance levels seen in the transit system at the height of the pandemic in 2020. System-wide mask compliance at that time exceeded 98%.
The latest surveys show that compliance with this measure on board buses is around 93% and 86% on the metro. The distribution efforts will be complemented by digital messaging and the announcements will run in stations, subways, buses and commuter tracks. To date, MTA has made 10.3 million masks available to customers. Through the pioneer Mask Force of the Authority, which launched in July 2020, more than 800,000 free skins have been distributed to customers. Additionally, MTAPD, MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officer, and NYC Transit Security Agents have distributed more than 25,000 masks.
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