Regina Mayor Michael Fougere came out on Wednesday morning to reiterate the importance for people to wear masks when riding city buses.

During a media conference at city hall, Fougere spoke about the need for compliance when it comes to riders following the city’s mask mandate for transit. It became mandatory for city bus passengers in Regina to wear masks on August 31, however the mayor said there are some instances when riders have not worn masks.

Fougere said there was an incident this month when a passenger didn’t wear a mask on the bus while COVID-19 positive.

“It happened between September 7 and 14 when a passenger who had COVID-19 rode our system and exposed many people of that because they did not wear a mask,” shared Fougere. “I’m appealing once again to residents to please wear a mask, face covering or a scarf when you are riding transit.”

The mayor said they have reported between 85 to 100 per cent compliance on transit so far, but he thinks it’s not good enough. That’s why the city will be working to make more masks available for those who don’t have a mask and are using the transit system.

Fougere said this way they can have all passengers follow the mask mandate for transit.

“We have provided about 3,000 masks so far at our transit points, but we are going to provide more masks throughout our system in the future.”

He hopes the expansion will come into effect as soon as possible.

Right now, masks are given out at the Golden Mile Shopping Centre, Southland Mall and the transit information centre in downtown.