Masks to remain mandatory on London transport
14 July, 2021
Face masks will remain compulsory on London’s transport network despite the UK government’s decision to make them voluntary from next week.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Wednesday he was not prepared to put the capital’s recovery at risk by removing another layer of protection against Covid-19.
Face masks have been mandatory across Transport for London (TfL) services - which includes the Tube, bus, tram and rail networks and is the responsibility of the mayor - for the past year to stop the spread of the virus.
Those who refuse to wear a mask currently face a minimum fine of £200 ($276).
England is removing the legal requirement to wear a mask from July 19, along with other remaining social distancing restrictions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been criticised by scientists for making face coverings voluntary, said people may still choose to wear them on a crowded train.
But Mr Khan said the “simplest and safest option would have been for the government to retain the national requirement for face coverings on public transport”.
"I'm not prepared to stand by and put Londoners, and our city's recovery, at risk. This is why, after careful consideration, I have decided to ask TfL to retain the requirement for passengers to wear a face covering on all TfL services," he said.
"By keeping face masks mandatory we will give Londoners and visitors the reassurance and confidence to make the most of what our city has to offer, while also protecting our heroic transport workers.
"It's an extra layer of protection on top of TfL's world-leading enhanced cleaning regime - and I'm sure Londoners will continue to do the right thing as they have done throughout the pandemic, and continue to wear a face covering on TfL services.”
The UK government is attempting to shift enforceable Covid rules to people taking personal responsibility for their own health decisions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was not surprised by TfL’s decision to make face coverings compulsory.
“We do expect individual carriers to put in place what is appropriate for their network,” he told Sky News.
“Crowded commuter trains may well want to have (masks) for a condition of carriage.”
Passenger numbers on Tube trains are between 40 and 45 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, while on buses the figure is between 60 and 65 per cent.
The move to remove the mask mandate has driven concern among scientists who have warned the decision to unlock has been made too quickly and could lead to a dramatic rise in infections.
Prof Peter Openshaw, who advises the government about viral threats, said on Tuesday masks "greatly reduce transmission".
He told the BBC it was difficult to leave it up to individual judgement when "it is not only protecting yourself but also protecting other people".
Source: www.thenationalnews.com