Earlier in the pandemic, a number of disputes, altercations, and assaults arose across Metro Vancouver due to conflicts about wearing masks.

While reports about those incidents had faded away, a new one occurred recently on public transit.

According to Metro Vancouver Transit Police, a woman was on the SkyTrain in Burnaby around 7:20 p.m. on September 20 when she noticed that a man and a woman were sitting near her but weren’t wearing any masks.

When she asked them if they had any masks to wear, they allegedly replied, “What’s it to you?”

The female suspect arose from her seat and allegedly hit the victim with so much force that the victim fell from her seat to the floor.

In addition, both suspects allegedly hit the victim while she was down, before they left the SkyTrain at Metrotown Station.

The victim, who did not sustain any serious injuries, remained on SkyTrain and called transit police.

The first suspect is described as a white female who appears to be in her early 20s. She is 165 centimetres (five-feet, five-inches) tall with a medium build and long dyed red hair. She was wearing a black coat with writing on the sleeves and red track pants at the time of the assault.

The second suspect is described as a white male who appears to be about 25 to 30 years of age. He is 178 centimetres (five-feet, 10-inches) tall with a medium build and short brown hair. He was wearing a dark jacket and jeans.

Anyone with any information about these two suspects, or who witnessed this incident, is asked to call Transit Police at 604-515-8300.

Masks are mandatory on transit and Metro Vancouver Transit Police Const. Mike Yake stated that transit police officers are enforcing this requirement—anyone not wearing a mask on transit can face a fine of $115.