Metrolinx says it is not distributing face masks to frontline GO Transit workers to protect them from the COVID-19 outbreak, one day after committing to providing employees with the protective equipment.

As the Star previously reported, on Thursday morning a Metrolinx executive sent an email to the union representing GO workers confirming that employees would start being fitted with the masks later that day.

“I can confirm that Metrolinx will be commencing fit tests for all front line employees starting today. Once an employee has been fitted they will keep the masks,” read the email from Eve Wiggins, Metrolinx vice president for bus operations.

But in a video message to employees posted Friday, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster said the agency won’t be distributing masks “because there isn’t any medical advice that suggests that it’s necessary to do so.”

He appeared to blame the media for any confusion around the issue, saying Metrolinx wouldn’t give out masks “despite what you read in the press.” He didn’t address the email one of his vice presidents had sent to union leadership.

Verster said in the video Metrolinx wouldn’t prevent employees from wearing their own masks that they bring from home.

The masks the agency had said it would distribute are the higher-end N95 models with respirators, which are designed to protect wearers from viruses. They have become difficult to find since the start of the outbreak.

Manny Sforza, international vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents more than 1,600 GO bus drivers, station attendants, and transit officers, said he was “extremely disappointed and shocked” Metrolinx “wouldn’t follow through with a commitment they gave the union.”

“We were looking for reassurances and peace of mind to put (workers) at ease, and this is going to confuse people even more at a very difficult and stressful time,” he said.

In response to questions from the Star, Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins didn’t directly explain why the agency had backtracked on its commitment to give workers masks.

“Metrolinx has taken measures to ensure preparedness and to protect our employees,” she said in an email.

“Gloves and hand sanitizer has already been distributed to staff and we’ve taken a number of measures to separate our train and bus staff as well as station staff from the general public to ensure social distancing.”

She said the agency plans to take additional measures in the coming week, including no longer accepting cash from passengers.

Asked whether Metrolinx still intended to fit its workers with masks, Aikins said the agency “will follow guidance of provincial health officials.”

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In recent weeks rules around face masks have become a hot button issue for transit employees in the GTA who continue to work through the outbreak that has shut down much of the country.

On Wednesday, the TTC dropped its prohibition against employees wearing masks they bring from home. The agency said the move was partially motivated by its need to avoid job action from employees.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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