Another video of a Richmond transit user refusing to wear a mask is circulating on social media.
In the video, filmed by a bus rider and uploaded onto YouTube, a man is seen raising his voice about not needing to wear a mask.
According to the individual who posted the video, the man was allegedly refusing to wear a mask and also refused to get off the 401 bus, which was stopped at the southbound No. 3 Road and Westminster Highway bus stop, as the bus driver was not willing to move unless the man complied with the mandatory mask rule.
“I’m not going to do anything against my health. If you want to wear it, wear it. Mind your own business, seriously,” said the anti-masker to another transit rider.
Some passengers can be heard telling the man to get off the bus and also to not “be selfish.”
The man allegedly claimed he “was on four buses” that day and none of the other bus drivers had a problem with him not wearing a mask.
“You’re the first bus driver today that started it, so call your supervisor and your supervisor is going to tell you that I don’t have to wear a mask,” he said to the driver.
According to TransLink's website, masks are mandatory on transit as a response to the latest mandate from the Provincial Government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Masks are mandatory to be worn while on transit or while waiting for transit," said a TransLink spokesperson, adding that "Transit Police can enforce this policy by issuing fines up to $150."
However, there are exemptions to the mandatory mask mandate which include:
- Anyone with an underlying medical condition or disability which inhibits the ability to wear a mask or face covering;
- Persons unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance;
- Children under 12 years of age;
- Employees working behind a physical barrier or within areas designated for employees and not for public access;
- Police, employees, or first responders in an emergency.
The man refusing to wear a mask told the bus driver that he was the one “creating all (the) problems” and called him an “instigator.”
Several bus riders were seen in the video leaving the bus one by one when they realized the bus was not going to move.
When several riders told the man to get off the bus, he responded to them and the driver that they should “stay home” instead.
“If people want to wear their masks let them wear it. I’m not wearing them end of story.
“You know you don’t have a right to tell me to wear (a mask).”
At the end of the video, it appeared that the bus driver and the man were the only ones left on the bus as other transit users watched from outside.
TransLink's spokesperson told the Richmond News that bus operators are not expected to enforce the mandatory mask policy, but are able to remind riders that masks are required.
"Bus operators should call Transit Police if they feel unsafe for any reason, or call 911 in an emergency," said a TransLink spokesperson.
