Face Coverings Required to Ride the Jule in Dubuque

To limit the spread of COVID-19 and to increase passenger safety, the City of Dubuque’s Jule public transportation system will require all passengers to wear a face covering beginning on Monday.

Effective 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, every passenger over the age of two years old must properly wear a face covering when entering and while inside a Jule bus or paratransit vehicle.

For this policy, “face covering” is defined as a uniform piece of material that snugly and securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands. Acceptable cloth face coverings include, but are not limited to:

• Homemade masks
• Scarves
• Bandanas
• Handkerchiefs

While cloth face coverings will be required starting Monday, Aug. 3, the City recognizes there are specific instances when wearing a cloth face covering may not be feasible, such as when doing so may exacerbate a physical or mental health condition, lead to a medical emergency, or introduce significant safety concerns. In these instances, adaptations and alternatives should be considered to increase the feasibility of wearing a protective face covering or anther accommodation to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Riders who may be unable to wear a cloth face covering should contact The Jule in advance of using the Jule’s services to identify an acceptable adaptation or alternative.

“There’s evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population served by The Jule place passengers at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19,” said City of Dubuque Transportation Services Manager Renee Tyler. “The safety of our passengers is our first priority and this policy makes our service safer for them.”

The Jule reserves the right to deny service to individuals without a properly worn cloth face covering or an approved adaptation or alternative. The Jule will have masks available for passengers who do not have a mask. This policy shall remain in effect until further notice.

The new policy is consistent with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that all people two years of age and older wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people in public and other settings, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

The mask requirement is the latest example of The Jule’s commitment to service and safety during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Other precautions already in place include:

• Buses are boarding from the rear entrance, when possible
• Buses are disinfected between route runs (hourly)
• Bus shelters are sanitized twice an hour
• Temperatures are taken for all operators at the beginning and end of each shift
• All buses are equipped with disinfectant sprays, sanitizing wipes, and gloves
• All operators are required to wear face coverings and have been provided masks and shields

For more information, please contact The Jule at 563.589.4266 or email transit@cityofdubuque.org.