April 19, 2022

As of April 18, 2022 a Federal Court judge has lifted the CDC and TSA Federal Mask Mandate.  As a result, the TSA has withdrawn SD1582/84-21-01E issued on April 15, 2022.  After a careful review of the statistical COVID data from Harris County, the City of Houston, and Fort Bend County and in compliance with this Federal ruling, effective immediately, facemasks are no longer required on Fort Bend County Transit vehicles.

April 13, 2022 – TSA Security Directive to Extend Face Mask Requirement

TSA has updated the Security Directive (SD) for surface passenger transportation to continue implementation of the President issued Executive Order entitled “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”, and to support enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order mandating masks. 

The CDC has extended the Federal mask mandate for 15 days while they continue to evaluate the rise in cases in the United States.  As a result, the Federal Mask Mandate has been extended through May 3, 2022.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-planning-extend-mask-mandate-planes-trains-rcna24231

March 17, 2022 – TSA Security Directive to Extend Face Mask Requirement

TSA has updated the Security Directive (SD) for surface passenger transportation to continue implementation of the President issued Executive Order entitled “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”, and to support enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order mandating masks.

TSA SD 1582/84-21-01D, supersedes SD 1582/84-21-01C and extends the expiration date until April 18, 2022.

Attached please find a copy of the SD and accompanying transmittal memo and for surface passenger transportation. The transmittal memo highlights the minor changes included in the new SD.

January 19, 2022 – TSA Security Directive to Extend Face Mask Requirement

TSA has updated the Security Directive (SD) for surface passenger transportation to continue implementation of the President issued Executive Order entitled “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”, and to support enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order mandating masks.

TSA SD 1582/84-21-01C, supersedes SD 1582/84-21-01B and extends the expiration date until March 18, 2022.

Attached please find a copy of the SD and accompanying transmittal memo and for surface passenger transportation. The transmittal memo highlights the minor changes included in the new SD.

September 14, 2021 – TSA Security Directive to Extend Face Mask Requirement

TSA has updated the Security Directive (SD) for surface passenger transportation to continue implementation of the President issued Executive Order entitled “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”, and to support enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order mandating masks.

TSA SD 1582/84-21-01BA, supersedes SD 1582/84-21-01A on September 14, 2021, and extends the expiration date until January 18, 2022.

Attached please find a copy of the SD and accompanying transmittal memo and for surface passenger transportation. The transmittal memo highlights the minor changes included in the new SD.

 

 

UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2021

Fort Bend County Amended Order Requiring Use of Face Coverings in County Facilities

UPDATED JUNE 1, 2021

Following new CDC guidance, Fort Bend Transit will remove seating capacity limits beginning Monday June 7, 2021 on all vehicles. Passenger safety remains a priority for Fort Bend Transit therefore, daily disinfecting will continue on all Fort Bend Transit vehicles.

Fort Bend Transit continues to adhere to the Federal Mask Mandate requirements for all passengers on Fort Bend Transit conveyances or transportation hubs.

UPDATED MAY 20, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations 

Effective:  May 3, 2021 – TSA Security Directive to Extend Face Mask Requirement

TSA has updated the Security Directive (SD) for surface passenger transportation to continue implementation of the President issued Executive Order entitled “Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel”, and to support enforcement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order mandating masks.

 TSA SD 1582/84-21-01A, supersedes SD 1582/84-21-01 on May 12, 2021, and extends the expiration date until September 13, 2021.

 Attached please find a copy of the SD and accompanying transmittal memo and for surface passenger transportation. The transmittal memo highlights the minor changes included in the new SD.

 TSA Memo (highlights the minor changes included in the new SD)

TSA Security Directive 1582/84-21-01A: Security Measures
Effective:  March 9, 2021 – Per the County Judge

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY FOR FORT BEND COUNTY BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to others, by infected persons who have few or no symptoms.  Because of the hidden nature of this threat, it is the policy of Fort Bend County to require the following:

  1. FACE COVERING REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ENTER AND REMAIN ON COUNTY PREMISES

    All persons over the age of two (2) including employees, customers, visitors, invitees, and contractors, who enter to work or conduct business in a County building must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth pursuant to the following guidelines:

     

    • Individuals, including employees, must wear a face covering in all public areas.  This includes entering and exiting the building, and while in an elevator.
    • Face coverings must be worn by all persons who have a conversation within six (6) feel of each other. 
    • Face coverings must be worn when going from point A to point B.  In other words, if you leave your primary work area, you must wear a face covering.
    • Face coverings may be removed by employees once the employee reaches their primary work area so long as the employee is not within six (6) feet from another individual.
    • The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a significant mental or physical health risk to the individual.  Employees who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition, are directed to privately discuss these concerns with your supervisor or Human Resources. 
  2.  SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS

    Even with the use of appropriate face coverings, individuals should maintain six (6) feet of social distancing whenever possible.

  3. NOTICE AND SIGNAGE

    Notice of this Health and Safety Policy will be posted in a conspicuous location in County buildings. 

    Because Fort Bend Transit receives federal funds, Fort Bend Transit is required to follow Federal Mask Requirement for Transit providers.  See notice below dated 3/2/21 11:00 AM.

Effective 3/2/21 11:00 AM
On March 2, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he will lift the mask mandate for the State of Texas effective next Wednesday, March 10, 2021.      

However, effective as of Feb. 1, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden’s Executive Order 13998  requires face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation (which includes all passengers and all personnel operating conveyances).

Therefore, all passengers and all personnel operating our buses are required to wear face masks until further notice.  

For more information, please check out these links:

President Joseph R. Biden’s Executive Order 13998

Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html

Federal Mask Requirement for Transit - https://www.transit.dot.gov/TransitMaskUp

 

FACEMASK REQUIREMENTS

Effective at 11:59 pm on February 1, 2021, the Transportation Security Administration has issued Security Directive 1582/84-21-01 – Security Measures- Facemask Requirements. This Security Directive was issued to implement January 21, 2021, Executive Order signed by President Biden to promote measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 by travelers within the United States and those who enter the country from abroad over the age of 2.  

 

Federal law now requires wearing a face mask while on public transportation, transportation hubs, or facilities and failure to comply will result in denial of boarding and/or removal. Individuals may also be subject to criminal or civil penalties, or both, imposed by the federal government, for refusing to wear a face mask. Penalties would be imposed by federal officials not transit or local law enforcement.  The Order defines a mask as material covering the nose and mouth of the wearer and excludes face shields.

 

The requirement to wear a facemask does not apply under the following conditions:

  1. When necessary to temporarily remove the mask for identity verification purposes.
  2. While eating, drinking, or taking medicine for a brief period. Prolonged mask removal is not permitted for eating or drinking.  The mask MUST be worn between bites or sips.
  3. When communicating with a person who is deaf or hearing impaired, when the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
  4. If unconscious (for reasons other than sleeping), incapacitated, unable to be awakened, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  5. A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask or cannot safely wear a mask because of a disability as defined by the ADA.
  6. A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the workplace, health, safety, or job duty as determined by relevant workplace safety guidelines or Federal regulations.

 

A link to the Security Directive in its entirety can be found here. TSA Security Directive

 

For questions regarding this Security Directive, please contact our Transit Chief Safety Officer, Tom Kuczynski, at 281-243-6709.
 IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FACE MASKS – JUNE 24, 2020

As the increase of COVID-19 cases continues to increase throughout Texas, Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George has issued an order regarding the use of facial protection effective June 25, 2020. This order applies to ALL riders of public transportation and visitors of county facilities including the Fort Bend Transit Facility.

The following protocols have been implemented to help safeguard against the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19):

  • All visitors entering a County facility will be required to wear face coverings at all times. This includes boarding a Fort Bend Transit bus and/or waiting at a park and ride lot.
  • Visitors and passengers will be encouraged to bring cloth face coverings with them, but if the individual does not have a cloth face covering, a disposable face mask will be provided.
  • Visitors who will be required to be in the County facility for over 1 hour will be provided disposable masks and required to wear them while in the County facility if the supply is available.
  • Nothing in the Order shall require the use of a mask or cloth face covering by anyone who does so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition, a child in a child care setting, anyone under the age of 2 years, or an older child if the parent, guardian or person responsible for the child is unable to place the mask safely on the child’s face.
  • IF a person declines to wear a mask or face covering because of a medical condition as described above, such person shall not be required to produce medical documentation verifying the stated condition.

As a reminder:

  • Vehicles are being disinfected daily.
  • All Fort Bend Transit drivers are screened before their shift which includes temperature and COVID-19 symptoms check.
  • Reduced seating capacity by 50% per bus to minimize crowding and in support of social distancing. There will be additional buses placed into service to accommodate this change. These safety measures may result in service delays but please know we are committed to providing the safest Public Transportation to our passengers.

Fort Bend Transit is continuously monitoring the situation with the help of Fort Bend County Health and Human Services, as well as Homeland Security and Emergency Management. For more information, please contact us at 281-633-7433 or transit@fortbendcountytx.gov.

Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. Alternatively, cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as keyboards, mobile telephones, and steering wheels.