Amtrak officials said the passenger railroad service is now requiring customers in stations, on trains and thruway buses wear facial coverings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The requirement is in conjunction with the efforts to protect customers and front-line employees.
The policy outlines facial coverings can be removed when customers are eating in designated areas, in their private rooms, or seated alone or with a travel companion in their pair of seats, while small children who are not able to maintain a facial covering are exempt from the requirement.
“The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is our top priority, and requiring a facial covering is one more way we can protect everyone,” Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn said. “Amtrak continues to operate as an essential service for those who must travel during this public health crisis. Our services will be even more critical as our nation recovers.”
As a means of aiding the process of maintaining the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) physical distancing recommendations onboard trains, Amtrak officials said Coach and Business class sales have been reduced to 50 percent capacity while also temporarily accepting only cashless payments in stations and on trains.
Amtrak officials said customers must supply their own facial covering, noting patrons can visit CDC.gov for detailed instructions on how to make their masks.