Grant Shapps urges people to treat face coverings the same as their phone and wallet when leaving home ahead of them becoming compulsory on public transport on Monday as he says there will be a ‘gentle approach’ to issuing fines
- Wearing face coverings on public transport will become mandatory on Monday
- Grant Shapps said ministers will take a ‘gentle approach’ to fines to start with
- Urged people to treat face coverings the same as phones when leaving home
Grant Shapps today urged people to view face coverings as an everyday essential item in the way they would their phone or wallet when leaving the house ahead of them becoming compulsory on public transport from Monday.
The Transport Secretary said it should become the new normal for people to pick up their face covering when they go outside if they intend to get on a bus, train or the tube.
He stressed that transport operators will be able to stop people from travelling if they refuse to wear a mask.
But he insisted ministers initially intend to take a ‘gentle approach’ to the issuing of fines in the hope that the overwhelming majority of people adhere to the new rules.
The compulsory wearing of face coverings on public transport will come into force in England on the same day that non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen.
Grant Shapps told the daily Downing Street press conference that ministers will initially take a ‘gentle approach’ to fining people who refuse to wear a face covering on public transport
The latest Downing Street data showed there were 202 deaths yesterday, taking the total death toll to 41,481
Speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus press conference, Mr Shapps said: ‘From Monday it becomes mandatory in England to wear a face covering on public transport, that includes trains, buses, trams, ferries, and planes.
‘A face covering does not mean a surgical mask. Face coverings can be made at home and you can find guidance to do so on gov.uk.
‘As we move to recovery it is more important than ever to protect each other, preventing those showing no symptoms from infecting others.
‘I know there is huge public support for compulsory face coverings. The show respect for our fellow travellers.
‘But for clarity, transport operators will be able to refuse permission to travel where someone isn’t using a face covering.
‘And this weekend I am taking powers through the Public Health Act leading to fines for non-compliance too.
‘We will take a gentle approach to enforcement during the first couple of days and help will be at hand.
‘In addition to the British Transport Police, the staff from Network Rail and from TFL and transport operators in the coming weeks we will also deploy journey makers to assist and remind commuters of the need to wear face coverings.’
He added: ‘Remembering your face covering should be the same as picking up your phone, your wallet or your purse whenever you are leaving the house.’
The Transport Secretary also urged employers to help their staff to avoid travelling at peak times if they are unable to work from home.
He suggested employees should be granted flexible start and finish times to avoid public transport becoming overcrowded.
He said: ‘Transport is instrumental to our recovery, to connect people with jobs, to help level up Britain and even to make us a healthier and more active nation.
‘But as people start to travel, transport also presents one of our biggest challenges. How we protect passengers, prevent the spread of the virus, even as we become more mobile.
‘Transport may be the first occasion since the onset of Covid that we have shared confined spaces with others.
‘So it is critical that we all take a vigilant and cautious approach over the next few weeks.
‘I am just going to say this: If you can work from home you should continue to do so.
‘If you cannot work from home you should try to avoid public transport.
‘If you must use public transport you should travel at quieter times of day and if you are an employer you should do everything in your power to prevent staff unless it is absolutely vital and please do allow staff to travel at quieter times.’