The city has decided to let Sarnia Transit drivers wear masks if they want during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement Saturday, the city said it's modifying its position on the use of masks if an operator feels more comfortable doing so.
One driver claimed this week to have been sent home without pay for putting on a mask. The city clarified Saturday that no operator has been terminated.
The city said, in consultation with its health and safety committee and UNIFOR, it is modifying the policy but still recommends against the practice. The city said the public health recommendation is that healthy people should not wear masks and that wearing a mask can actually increase risk as people often touch their face to adjust it.
Other precautionary measures implemented include rear door boarding to maintain physical distance with operators, blocking off seating near the operators to maintain physical distance, encouraging passengers to only utilize transit for essential trips and implementing enhanced cleaning procedures. -With files from Dave Dentinger
