Area residents will require a face mask starting tomorrow if they’re using GO Transit vehicles.

Metrolinx says starting on Tuesday July 21 GO Transit staff will be on board trains, buses and in stations informing customers that they need to wear a face covering.

The masks are also required for those using UP Express, officials say.

The agency said there will be riders who, due to pre-existing conditions, will not be able to wear a face mask and said no customer will be “left behind.”

The move comes as more regions across the Greater Toronto Area implement the mandatory use of a facial covering for those attending indoor public spaces.

“In terms of our enforcement, of our requirement of people to wear face coverings, we will focus on education rather than enforcement,” says Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster. “Our employees will help customers on buses and trains if they haven’t got face coverings and we will ensure that no one will be left behind.”

“As the GTA starts to prepare itself for Stage 3 of the recovery, we are seeing many more customers return to our GO and UP services,” he admits.

The drivers of their transit vehicles have been wearing face masks for the last several months.

The transit agency has begun installing clear plastic dividers between seats on some of its buses and trains as part of 40 steps to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Facial coverings have been mandatory onboard all TTC vehicles since July 1.