Covid 19 - What you need to know - Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport

The Government has now published new regulations effecting those who use public transport.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on Monday 15th June 2020, which requires that members of the public must wear a face covering when travelling in England on a:

• bus or coach
• train or tram
• ferry or hovercraft or other vessel
• aircraft
• cable car

Those breaking the new law could be fined £100, or £50 if you pay the fine within 14 days.

The requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to:

• a child under the age of 11
• an employee of the transport operator, when they are acting in the course of their employment
• any other person providing services to the transport operator, under arrangements made with the transport operator, who is providing those services
• a constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
• an emergency responder such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
• an official, for example a border force officer, acting in the course of their duties
• if you are allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation, at any time when you are in that accommodation, either alone, or only with members of your own household or a linked household
• if you are on board public transport but remain in your private vehicle, for example on a car ferry

The requirement to wear a face covering also does not apply if you have a reasonable excuse not to. What may constitute a ‘reasonable’ excuse is explained further in Government issued guidance which can be read here.