a rail cover assembly includes first and second cover portions with surface regions made from an antimicrobial material . the first cover portion has opposing and longitudinally - extending l - shaped lips with at least one pair of first slots defined at opposing locations along the lips . the second cover portion has opposing longitudinal edges for nesting with the first cover portion &# 39 ; s lips , and has at least one pair of second slots defined at opposing locations along the edges in alignment with a corresponding pair of the first slots . a joiner is partially engaged in each of the first slots and partially engaged in a correspondingly aligned one of the second slots . each joiner includes a first spring - loaded portion engaging the first cover portion and a second spring - loaded portion engaging the second cover portion .