Face masks to be required on Santa Barbara MTD buses starting Friday

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) will require bus riders to wear face masks starting Friday.

There will be a grace period through Tuesday, May 5th to obtain the appropriate face coverings. They say a simple bandana, scarf, or homemade cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth is sufficient.

Face coverings are not a replacement for physical distancing, maintaining 6-feet of distance from others.

MTD is conducting enhanced cleaning protocols which have been implemented since early March. Those include disinfecting all high-touch surfaces with a hospital-grade disinfectant every night.

Yesterday, the Santa Barbara city council adopted a measure requiring face masks to be worn in most essential businesses.