DASH Requires Passengers to Wear Face Coverings Effective Monday, May 18
Stay home. Stop the spread. Buses are for essential travel only.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Based on guidance from the Alexandria Health Department, the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) will require all passengers to wear face coverings while using DASH buses beginning Monday, May 18, 2020. The measure will help protect DASH employees and passengers from contracting the COVID-19 virus and is consistent with the actions of the agency’s regional transit partners, including WMATA, Frederick Transit, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Transit. This precaution will remain in effect until further notice.
National, State and Local health officials have noted that wearing cloth face coverings can decrease the spread of coronavirus between individuals, even if they are not showing symptoms.
NO MASK, NO RIDE
Individuals without a mask will be asked to return home if possible, to obtain a face covering and make their trip once they are able to meet the requirement. Passengers who are unable to wear masks or lack the means to obtain one will be asked to sit as far away from other riders as possible to minimize potential contact.
“We are going to continue providing essential trips for everyone who needs us, but we have to maintain the best balance of the needs of the community and the safety of our operators and passengers,” said DASH CEO/General Manager Josh Baker. “We believe this measure will help us strike that balance and maximizes the health benefit of the entire Alexandria community.”
DASH is also increasing service from its current Enhanced Sunday to an Enhanced Saturday schedule. This is in anticipation of Governor Northam’s Stay-at-Home order being lifted on May 29. The new service plan will take effect on Sunday, May 24 and remain in place until further notice. Increasing service will enable DASH passengers to follow appropriate physical distancing guidelines as ridership begins to increase in the coming weeks. If ridership requires it, further service increases will be added as necessary.
Visit dashbus.com/covidmods for the latest information about service changes and modifications and subscribe to DASH e-news. For general updates about COVID-19, visit dashbus.com/covid19.
