As of 15 June the government has ruled that all passengers on public transport in England will have to wear a face covering. However, the British Medical Association has urged the wearing of face coverings to be extended to all places in which social distancing is not possible.
The BMA have also stated that the risk from Covid-19 would be “much less” were the rule to commence today, as opposed to later in the month.
Face coverings, which can be homemade, or shop bought, must now be worn on trams, trains, coaches, aircrafts, ferries and buses. Passengers will not be allowed to travel without the requisite PPE, and risk being fined if they refuse to obey the rules. Those with breathing difficulties, who are disabled, and very young children are exempt from the rules.
Guidance which has been in place since last month in England heavily advises people to wear face coverings when in enclosed spaces, such as shops. Those in Scotland and Northern Ireland are advised to wear face coverings where social distancing is not possible, and the Welsh government has left the decision to the personal discretion of the individual.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has said the new measures have been introduced in time to accommodate the increasing numbers of travellers. The date of the policy’s introduction coincides with the reopening of some secondary schools and colleges in England.
Shapps said that figures currently indicated the transport system was operating at five per cent of its overall capacity. He believes that the move to introduce face masks will offer "some reassurance to passengers".
