Sentinel staff report–
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) this Friday will implement a “no mask, no ride, no exceptions” requirement for transit riders.
SacRT said in a Dec. 10 news release that transit riders previously were required to wear masks or face coverings, but that exceptions were allowed. The only persons exempt from the new requirement will be those under the age of two.
The transit district said its new policy is being implemented in response to rising cases of COVID-19 and will be in place through “at least” Dec. 31, after which the policy will be assessed on a weekly basis.
The district said its new policy follows the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidance on “direct threat” criteria regarding ADA accommodations during a pandemic. The commission specifies: “if an individual with a disability poses a direct threat despite reasonable accommodation, he or she is not protected by the nondiscrimination provisions of the ADA.”
SacRT said its new requirement affects riders as well as “anyone waiting at a station or transit center.” Those required to wear masks or coverings include riders of light rail, bus, SmaRT Ride and other transit services offered by the district.
Acceptable face coverings include disposable or cloth masks, neck gaiters, scarves, bandannas and religious face coverings, as long as the mouth and nose are covered completely.
