Mask requirements on Amtrak

[Sidney]

There are two (2) conflicting YouTube videos produced by Amtrak with conflicting information regarding masks.

The following video says “an exception” to wearing masks in private rooms:


This video omits the mask “exception” in private rooms:


Wanting to set the record straight, I sent a “tweet” to Amtrak asking for clarification. This was their reply:

“We'd be happy to clarify this information for you. We require all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times while on board trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status or state or local laws. Face masks can be removed briefly while actively eating, drinking, or taking medication.”

So, it appears that masks are required everywhere on Amtrak trains, even in private rooms.

However, as many have stated and I can verify, this is a law not enforced in sleeper cars, at least for now.

I have been in sleepers quite often during the pandemic and have never worn a mask inside my room.

 

[Mailliw]

If you're going to have more sleepers and less coach cars - the cost of sleepers needs to come down to an affordable rate for those who ride coach because they can't afford the ridiculously high costs of the sleepers

We need a modern version of the Slumbercoach.

 

[Night Ranger]

My best wishes for you not to get sick! I am truly hoping you prioritize what you can control yourself with your own decisions, and stay away from places where people crowd together. Relying on others actions to keep yourself healthy may not go well.

Amtrak content we booked a roomette when a coach seat would have been more appropriate so we can stay away from other people who may be sick and not have to wear a mask 100% of the time on that leg of the trip.

We are doing the same thing for our trip next April. We have booked a roomette for a 6 hour trip to lessen our chances of exposure to COVID or Omricon or whatever mutation may be cresting then. Less interaction lessens our chances of infection. To each his own but that's what works best for us.

 

[joelkfla]

There are two (2) conflicting YouTube videos produced by Amtrak with conflicting information regarding masks.

The following video says “an exception” to wearing masks in private rooms:


This video omits the mask “exception” in private rooms:


Wanting to set the record straight, I sent a “tweet” to Amtrak asking for clarification. This was their reply:

“We'd be happy to clarify this information for you. We require all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times while on board trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status or state or local laws. Face masks can be removed briefly while actively eating, drinking, or taking medication.”

So, it appears that masks are required everywhere on Amtrak trains, even in private rooms.

However, as many have stated and I can verify, this is a law not enforced in sleeper cars, at least for now.

The first video was posted to YouTube before the federal mandate requiring facial coverings on all modes of public transportation. The 2nd video is an edit of the first, probably posted when the mandate was issued. They just forgot to take down the first.

 

[Tlcooper44]

I will be taking a private room today, and I have no intention of wearing a mask in my room unless the door is open to talk to an attendant.

 

[Tlcooper44]

I will be taking a private room today, and I have no intention of wearing a mask in my room unless the door is open to talk to an attendant.

Just boarded LSL in Boston and heard an announcement from the attendant that masks are not required in rooms with the door closed.

 

[MilwaukeeRoadLover]

The travel mask mandate has been moved from Jan 18 to mid March.
https://www.cnet.com/health/mask-ma...h-mid-march-for-planes-and-more-what-to-know/My trip is in April. What are the odds it will be extended again?

For what it's worth, my family took the Empire Builder west to Glacier Park in Sep 2019. We masked and life when on...with Covid protocols. In many countries masking was the norm even before Covid.

 

[jis]

Moderator's Notes: Please try to steer away from general COVID discussion and focus back on Amtrak Mask Requirements. General COVID discussion is off topic in this thread. Eventually, if there are too many general COVID posts they will all be removed. from this thread.

 

[Cal]

Just boarded LSL in Boston and heard an announcement from the attendant that masks are not required in rooms with the door closed.

And Amtrak is very well known for strictly following what’s In the book.

 

[Lonnie]

And Amtrak is very well known for strictly following what’s In the book.

On a recent trip on the CZ, I took great delight in listening to the announcement saying "if you become a problem child, we will stop the train, put you off it, and you can walk to your destination." Any wonder the compliance is higher and the temper tantrums are much fewer on trains than on planes?

 

[hlcteacher]

Thank you but I will wait to travel until we are not forced against our will to comply.

thank you, more space for masked me and mine

 

[bbappel]

On a recent trip on the CZ, I took great delight in listening to the announcement saying "if you become a problem child, we will stop the train, put you off it, and you can walk to your destination." Any wonder the compliance is higher and the temper tantrums are much fewer on trains than on planes?

What if planes did that - in the briefing announcement, they could show a parachute and make a similar statement. Ha ha.

 

[Amtrak709]

On a recent trip on the CZ, I took great delight in listening to the announcement saying "if you become a problem child, we will stop the train, put you off it, and you can walk to your destination." Any wonder the compliance is higher and the temper tantrums are much fewer on trains than on planes?

On a recent trip on the CZ, I took great delight in listening to the announcement saying "if you become a problem child, we will stop the train, put you off it, and you can walk to your destination." Any wonder the compliance is higher and the temper tantrums are much fewer on trains than on planes?

Lonnie: I read your post and am a little curious about the "tone" of the announcement. In my days of working the extra board flag on the Auto Train, staff and crew sometimes got on the PA and made announcements that were "witty" or "comical" or "frivolous"--more entertainment valve than anything or lightly make a point. Of course, the conductor or designated crew can for rules violations eject a passenger at the next scheduled station stop (saw this on several occasions). COVID seems to be "fine line" issue. Just curious at your take on the tone.

 

[pennyk]

Moderator's Notes: Please try to steer away from general COVID discussion and focus back on Amtrak Mask Requirements. General COVID discussion is off topic in this thread. Eventually, if there are too many general COVID posts they will all be removed. from this thread.

I am bumping this Moderator Note. Several off topic posts were removed. Thank you for keeping the discussion focused on Amtrak Mask Requirements.
FYI, if a post quotes a post that was removed for being off topic, the post quoting the off topic post will be removed.
Thank you for your cooperation.

 

[Lonnie]

Lonnie: I read your post and am a little curious about the "tone" of the announcement. In my days of working the extra board flag on the Auto Train, staff and crew sometimes got on the PA and made announcements that were "witty" or "comical" or "frivolous"--more entertainment valve than anything or lightly make a point. Of course, the conductor or designated crew can for rules violations eject a passenger at the next scheduled station stop (saw this on several occasions). COVID seems to be "fine line" issue. Just curious at your take on the tone.

I'd say it walked a very fine line of its own between humorous and deadly serious. There was definitely a note of parental exasperation with the problem children you know they'd been dealing with. I didn't get the sense that they were joking about the fact that they could in fact put you off the train. They often repeated that these were Federal Laws they and we were bound to follow.

 

[alpha3]

They're all tired, understandably. Train crews, airline crews, having to deal with grown adults acting like 2 year olds.

 

[Winecliff Station]

Wanting to set the record straight, I sent a “tweet” to Amtrak asking for clarification. This was their reply:

“We'd be happy to clarify this information for you. We require all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times while on board trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status or state or local laws. Face masks can be removed briefly while actively eating, drinking, or taking medication.”

So, it appears that masks are required everywhere on Amtrak trains, even in private rooms.

However, as many have stated and I can verify, this is a law not enforced in sleeper cars, at least for now.

I can verify this also…. it’s what I call a “white underwear rule” because it can’t be enforced.

 

[Northwestern]

Looks like this mask mandate will go on indefinitely. Had a feeling it might be extended,especially in light of the new variant. I have a trip in late January. Most of it is in sleepers. No worry there

I sure hope that masking in a sleeper will not be required. I have a sleeper booked on the Empire Builder in July. Will Amtrak require a mask in the dining car? What about in a lounge car?

Richard

 

[TinCan782]

I sure hope that masking in a sleeper will not be required. I have a sleeper booked on the Empire Builder in July. Will Amtrak require a mask in the dining car? What about in a lounge car?

Richard

Currently, a mask is required in the dining car and lounge (and the rest of the train) unless you are actively eating or drinking.
As far as sleepers go, our last two LD trips during covid we were maskless while in our room.
If you go through other posts in this thread you will see that echoed.
Just be prepared to wear a mask!

 

[Exvalley]

I sure hope that masking in a sleeper will not be required.

By the technical reading of the rule, a mask is required in a sleeper. In practice, you are allowed to be mask-free in your sleeper compartment. This reflects the reality that nobody knows what you are wearing if the curtain is closed.

 

[Sidney]

I sure hope that masking in a sleeper will not be required. I have a sleeper booked on the Empire Builder in July. Will Amtrak require a mask in the dining car? What about in a lounge car?

Richard

Who knows about July? Chances are the mask mandate will be in effect indefinitely. You don t need a mask in a sleeper,but everywhere else on the train.

 

[daybeers]

even left the door open sometimes

Please don't do this if you don't have your mask on.

 

[TinCan782]

Please don't do this if you don't have your mask on.

Noted...thanks.

 

[Winecliff Station]

Please don't do this if you don't have your mask on.

Or at least close the curtain... that nasty thick cloth is probably more durable than any mask lol

 

[me_little_me]

Or at least close the curtain... that nasty thick cloth is probably more durable than any mask lol

Moreover, the germs in it have been known to be so tough, they beat up Covid ones because they are not locals.