The BART Board of Directors voted 6-2 to reinstitute a mask mandate in paid areas of the BART until Oct. 1, effective immediately.

During the board’s Thursday meeting, director Bevan Dufty cited the risk of long COVID-19 and the safety of riders in the decision to extend the mandate. However, directors Robert Raburn and Debora Allen voted against the mandate, alleging a lack of data on the efficacy of masks.

Ahead of the vote, nearly everyone during public comment strongly encouraged the board to reinstate the mandate, calling on BART to become a national leader in COVID-19 precautions.

“As a board, we have an obligation to protect our employees, our riders and the public,” said Director Mark Foley during the meeting. “Masks make BART safer.”

The board will meet again Sept. 22 to reconsider the mandate and potentially extend it further.