FACE MASK RULES RETURN TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Published 3 December 2021 at 11:29am

Face covering rules have been reinstated on public transport in South Yorkshire, in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. From Tuesday 30 November, passengers must wear a face covering on public transport, in interchanges and stations, unless exempt. 

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, has called on passengers to play their part by following mask-wearing guidelines, to help to keep everyone safe this festive season.

“Earlier this year I took the decision for face coverings to remain mandatory in South Yorkshire’s interchanges and stations, because they reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. As part of new measures to help tackle the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, face coverings are now also compulsory on public transport and in shops, once again.

“It means passengers must wear a face covering when travelling by public transport, in interchanges and at stations, unless exempt. I am asking everyone to follow the guidelines – along with continuing to wash or sanitise hands and keeping spaces well ventilated where possible – so we can all play our part to keep ourselves, friends and family safe this festive season.”

The new rules apply to travel on all modes of public transport – on board all buses, trams, Tram Trains, trains and at stations and interchanges.

Customer service staff in Travel South Yorkshire (TSY) interchanges are reminding passengers of new face covering rules and handing masks out, unless exempt. 

Enhanced cleaning regimes have been maintained across South Yorkshire’s public transport network throughout the pandemic. 

Passengers can help to keep themselves and others safe by continuing to follow safer travel guidelines, available in interchanges and stations, onboard public transport and on the Travel South Yorkshire Coronavirus web page.

The new rules on face coverings bring England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where they are already mandatory on public transport. The Government will review the changes in three weeks' time.

For the latest Government guidelines visit the Gov.uk website

Image courtesy of HM Government/NHS