By Bus drivers refuse entry to commuters without face coverings
Everyone in England must now wear a face covering when travelling by public transport, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
Under the new rules, transport operators such as bus drivers are now able to prevent passengers who refuse to follow the rules from travelling and police will be able to issue fines of £100.
It is expected that over 3,000 extra staff will be deployed to support the travelling public and enforce these new rules.
They will be on hand to remind people about the need to wear face coverings and assist vulnerable passengers.
Staff will also be handing out additional face coverings for passenger use.
Speaking from Birmingham New Street station, Sky reporter Becky Johnson said:
“I would say maybe 95% of people, maybe more than that, are wearing them.
“Anybody not covering their faces are quickly being stopped by station staff and are being told they do need to cover up before they get on any of the trains.
“Some of the bus drivers here in Birmingham have been refusing people entry to buses if they haven’t got their face covered.”
Volunteers have been on hand at stations across the country to hand out blue masks to commuters as they enter and leave.
The majority of those travelling appear to be wearing a face covering while a handful have picked up a free mask.
Face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in England with the easing of further lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said:
“The advice is clear that people should continue to avoid taking public transport where possible, but by mandating the use of face coverings Government is asking passengers to play their part in helping to protect each other as the numbers of people travelling gradually start to rise across the country, following the careful easing of restrictions when it’s safe to do so”
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