Face coverings compulsory on public transport in England from 15 June

[Socanxdis]

How long before face mask is no longer a requirement on public transport? September?

 

[johnnychips]

Exactly. I guess the idea is to make people more likely to do it, but I'm not sure that idea holds much water.

Plus, what about people going to stations to use facilities but not travelling, or just buying a ticket for future travel?

I just got stopped by someone in a hi-viz at Sheffield station, not BTP. She put her arm out and asked if I was travelling. When I said ‘no’ (I pass through it on the way home) she let me pass. I wonder if she would have told me to put a mask on if I said yes.

 

[MikeWM]

I agree. In my case it's going to be a major deterrent as I find masks extremely uncomfortable. I would now happily use the trains for short leisure journeys, but with this rule in place, not a chance - I'll plan on staying within walking distance of home.

Unfortunately I will at some point have to do some travelling for work - 90 minutes or so by train to our head office, with a change at Leeds, and similar or even longer to some of our other sites. If this rule remains in force for long I will be looking at getting a car - I hate travelling by car and have never owned one, but this could be the tipping point. I have a driving license, so there are no barriers to doing so if it becomes the least-worst option. I imagine there are many in a similar position, and if they buy a car a good few won't be going back to rail again when this is all over.

I don't have a license (failed the test twice when I was 17, never quite got back around to it) but it's been on the list of things to do for some time. It's bubbled up to near the top over the last few months.

Once that is done, I'm likely to get a car. It's a shame though.

 

[Journeyman]

My beard suffices as a face covering. It’s the only one I’ve ever worn, and the only one I’ll ever wear. Masks are way too dystopian for me.

Pink hi vi wearer: “you need a mask to join that train.”

Me: “No, I don’t, unless you’re going to drive it, instead of me?”

Pink hi vi wearer: “Oh”.

Ticket barrier is opened...

You have to look for the comedy in every situation. That’s all we have left, at the moment.

I've made my objections to masks known, but I don't think it's a reasonable excuse to act like a dick to people. I've got a scarf I'll use when necessary.

 

[Journeyman]

How long before face mask is no longer a requirement on public transport? September?

No-one seems willing or able to tell us that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

No-one seems willing or able to tell us that.

I'll predict "when we reach alert level 2", which I suspect might be a while.

 

[GodAtum]

What are the rules on replacement buses? If there are too many people to board due to passenger number restrictions, do the rest have to wait an hour for the next one? Talking about Oxted this weekend.

 

[43066]

I've made my objections to masks known, but I don't think it's a reasonable excuse to act like a dick to people. I've got a scarf I'll use when necessary.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t act like a dick either (there was some poetic license in my last post - albeit the gist was correct). I’m always unfailingly polite, but I don’t like being rudely interrogated when I’m at work.

I’m not required to wear a mask on a station platform, and I’m damned sure not required to wear one whilst driving.

 

[Journeyman]

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t act like a dick either (there was some poetic license in my last post - albeit the gist was correct). I’m always unfailingly polite, but I don’t like being rudely interrogated when I’m at work.

I’m not required to wear a mask on a station platform, and I’m damned sure not required to wear one whilst driving.

Fair enough. I just think it's important to point out that the clueless fools who have implemented this are a long way from the poor sods who have to deal with the consequences.

 

[route101]

Anyone know where you can get a decent cloth mask,not the surgical ones?

Looked on amazon , some are getting bad reviews.

 

[island]

How long before face mask is no longer a requirement on public transport? September?

The legislation expires on 12•JLY•20, unless a parliamentary vote is held and approved it before that date. Such a vote would extend the rule to 14•JUN•21 with a mandatory review by the Health Secretary no later than 14•DMR•20 to consider whether it is still necessary.

 

[route101]

The legislation expires on 12•JLY•20, unless a parliamentary vote is held and approved it before that date. Such a vote would extend the rule to 14•JUN•21 with a mandatory review by the Health Secretary no later than 14•DMR•20 to consider whether it is still necessary.

Next year, bloody hope not! Hopefully 12th of July. No doubt will last longer in Scotland

 

[MikeWM]

The legislation expires on 12•JLY•20, unless a parliamentary vote is held and approved it before that date. Such a vote would extend the rule to 14•JUN•21 with a mandatory review by the Health Secretary no later than 14•DMR•20 to consider whether it is still necessary.

The 'review' will no doubt be as thorough as the lockdown regulation reviews - effectively non-extant.

Until Parliament decides to start asserting itself, this sort of thing will continue.

 

[43066]

Fair enough. I just think it's important to point out that the clueless fools who have implemented this are a long way from the poor sods who have to deal with the consequences.

Rest assured, I’m in complete agreement with you on that. These ludicrous, self defeating, measures are not something staff should be enforcing.

My observation is that some of the pink tabard brigade are taking their responsibilities a little too seriously, and are speaking out of turn. There’s a limit to how rudely I can be spoken to by a fellow member of staff before I feel too riled up to do my job safely.

At that point I pick up the phone and declare myself unfit to drive, due to the way I’ve just been spoken to. My service will be cancelled, and that train will then sit there, knocking out a platform for the next couple of hours or so. And that becomes that person’s problem, not mine.

I take a great deal of pride in my job - and I would never do that lightly - it’s only happened once in a few years of doing the job.

 

[Huntergreed]

Next year, bloody hope not! Hopefully 12th of July. No doubt will last longer in Scotland

This is disheartening, but I do fear that the public will be in support of keeping masks because, although they do have a (small) effect, they feel 'safe' when they use them, and a great number will be moving onto cars and off of public transport, so it won't apply to them. I would love for it to be over in a month, but I just don't see that happening sadly.

 

[Llanigraham]

I find anything along those lines uncomfortable.

The vague description of the requirement does rather suggest tokenism, though...

What on earth is vague about "face covering"?

Anything that covers your nose and mouth while you breathe is unpleasant on along journey which is why people either pull them down or do not wear them at all.

I seem to manage, even as an asthmatic.
Funny how motorcyclists and motorsport people (including me) manage to wear a balaclava for many hours inside their crash helmets.

Anyone know where you can get a decent cloth mask,not the surgical ones?

Looked on amazon , some are getting bad reviews.

There is a thread here in which I provided patterns on how to make your own. They are very easy. There are also numerous videos on Google on how to do it. Personally I recommend the "duckbill" type.

No-one seems willing or able to tell us that.

Probably because no-one knows!

 

[Killingworth]

How long before face mask is no longer a requirement on public transport? September?

It may become a necessary requirement for ever Like wearing a hard hat when reporters, top managers or cabinet ministers go into factories, even though they'll be nowhere near anything dangerous! A necessary part of the costume for PR videos and pictures.

 

[Huntergreed]

It may become a necessary requirement for ever Like wearing a hard hat when reporters, top managers or cabinet ministers go into factories, even though they'll be nowhere near anything dangerous! A necessary part of the costume for PR videos and pictures.

I highly doubt this. There’s absolutely no reason for them to make masks mandatory when they ease other restrictions, and it would essentially kill catering on trains and on stations.

 

[Gadget88]

I ordered a Hidden disabilities card seemingly this is accepted by LNER.

 

[Killingworth]

I highly doubt this. There’s absolutely no reason for them to make masks mandatory when they ease other restrictions, and it would essentially kill catering on trains and on stations.

Hopefully commonsense will prevail. As long as the pandemic is seen to be weakening as the weeks and months pass more will overlook/forget/deliberately not wear a mask. This display of accidental or planned civil disobedience would have to be met by strong action by BTP. That would be supported by a large minority who will feel unsafe unless everyone wears a mask. It would be resented by a lot more.

Stand off. Public transport loses all round. Having terrified more than half the regular travellers into believing every bus or train trip is a death trap very many won't return, with or without mask.

• Don't like masks, have car alternative, will drive.
• Will only travel if everyone is masked, tries once, some aren't masked, has car, will now drive.
• Uncertain about travelling anywhere, with or without a mask, and can work from home, so does.

I hope I'm wrong but looking at loadings at my local station long distance commuting still seems all but dead, possibly 2-3% of normal. Shorter leisure journeys may be creeping up to 5-10% of past loadings - 14 reported on one 4 car train earlier in the week!

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Went to Brighton today. Most people were complying on Brighton & Hove and Metrobus buses by wearing their face coverings, but there was the odd person on the Brighton buses not wearing face coverings. But of course I always assumed that those people not wearing face coverings on public transport are the legally exempt ones.

Most Brighton & Hove/Metrobus drivers weren't wearing face coverings but some were.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

How long before face mask is no longer a requirement on public transport? September?

I'd say possibly when infection rates are low enough to no longer make face coverings / masks necessary.

 

[Journeyman]

I'd say possibly when infection rates are low enough to no longer make face coverings / masks necessary.

But no-one is willing to specify what those rates are.

 

[A Challenge]

But no-one is willing to specify what those rates are.

It appears that face coverings will be necessary forever by the sounds of things, as there is no end date. And to think I though the 2 years on the original restrictions was surprisingly long without Parliament having to agree again!

 

[Journeyman]

It appears that face coverings will be necessary forever by the sounds of things, as there is no end date. And to think I though the 2 years on the original restrictions was surprisingly long without Parliament having to agree again!

This is what really bothers me about it. It's all for show, and noone can offer any solid justification for it, or elaborate on how it is being monitored or which standards have to be reached for the restrictions to be lifted.

Edinburgh Airport recently made an Instagram post about their latest corona theatre. When I asked what justifications they had for it, what legislation it was imposed under and when it would be reviewed or removed, they blocked me.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

If it's any comparison, Scottish Government have said face coverings will remain in place during phases 2 and 3 of their lockdown exit route-map, and "it could be many months, or longer, until we reach this phase." In phase 4, when the "virus remains suppressed to very low levels*", "face coverings may be advised in enclosed public spaces, including public transport."

I suppose this is a bit more detail compared to what England have given, but of course we can't really compare the two like-for-like.
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* probably a discussion for this thread, but what is defined as "very low levels"?

 

[ashkeba]

Anyone know where you can get a decent cloth mask,not the surgical ones?

Looked on amazon , some are getting bad reviews.

Some local sewing businesses are offering them at cost on facebook and nextdoor. Try asking there if you can.

 

[Journeyman]

If it's any comparison, Scottish Government have said face coverings will remain in place during phases 2 and 3 of their lockdown exit route-map, and "it could be many months, or longer, until we reach this phase." In phase 4, when the "virus remains suppressed to very low levels*", "face coverings may be advised in enclosed public spaces, including public transport."

I suppose this is a bit more detail compared to what England have given, but of course we can't really compare the two like-for-like.
-----
* probably a discussion for this thread, but what is defined as "very low levels"?

Sturgeon is determined to look heroic in going for a total elimination strategy. That's for both the virus and economic activity.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sturgeon is determined to look heroic in going for a total elimination strategy. That's for both the virus and economic activity.

The problem is she can't, because England isn't, and she can't close the borders even if she wanted to.

 

[Butts]

This is what really bothers me about it. It's all for show, and noone can offer any solid justification for it, or elaborate on how it is being monitored or which standards have to be reached for the restrictions to be lifted.

Edinburgh Airport recently made an Instagram post about their latest corona theatre. When I asked what justifications they had for it, what legislation it was imposed under and when it would be reviewed or removed, they blocked me.

Not quite sure how Instagram works, but could other people see your contribution, what they'd done to you and spring to your defence?