Advertisement

Police can 'use reasonable force' against passengers not wearing face masks on public transport

A police officer wears a face mask as he stands on the concourse at Waterloo Station in London on June 15, 2020 after new rules make wearing face coverings on public transport compulsory while the UK further eases its coronavirus lockdown. - New coronavirus pandemic rules coming into force on June 15 make wearing face coverings such as masks or scarves compulsory on public transport, as various stores and outdoor attractions open for the first time in nearly three months. (Photo by Niklas HALLE'N / AFP) (Photo by NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)
A police officer wears a face mask at Waterloo Station in London on 15 June, 2020, after new rules made wearing face coverings on public transport compulsory. (Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images)

Passengers who do not wear face coverings on public transport can have “reasonable force” used against them by police.

Face coverings became mandatory on Monday as more people return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Announcing the rule change earlier this month, transport secretary Grant Shapps warned: “You could be refused travel if you don’t comply, and you could be fined.”

The Department for Transport rules can be enforced by police and transport staff with fines of £100.

Read more: Where to buy a non-medical face mask or covering online in the UK

Passengers wearing face masks travel on the Victoria line tube, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain June 15, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Passengers on public transport must wear face coverings from Monday or face fines of up to £100. Those not complying can have 'reasonable force' used to remove them. (Reuters/Hannah McKay)

They will also have powers to stop people who are not wearing face coverings from travelling and can use “reasonable force” to remove someone who refuses to do so.

Shapps said: “I expect the vast majority of people won’t need to be forced into this, because wearing a face covering helps protect others.”

Read more: Why you may be confused that it's now OK to wear face coverings

The new rules came into effect on Monday as more lockdown measures were eased in England despite the coronavirus “R rate” – the level of the spread of infection – rising above 1 in some parts of the country.

Non-essential shops were allowed to reopen on Monday and many secondary schools reopened to pupils.

AYLESBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Notices at a railway station advising the public to wear a mask, wash hands and travel off-peak if possible on June 12, 2020 in Aylesbury, England .As the British government further relaxes Covid-19 lockdown measures in England, this week sees preparations being made to open non-essential stores and Transport for London handing out face masks to commuters. International travelers arriving in the UK will face a 14-day quarantine period. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Notices have been posted at railway stations in England advising the public to wear masks when travelling. (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The guidelines do not apply to people entering shops, despite the government having previously advised people to wear face coverings in enclosed public places.

And passengers are allowed to remove their face coverings to eat or drink while on public transport.

Children under the age of 11 do not have to wear face covers, and the penalties will not apply to on-duty police or public transport staff.

The regulations, which cover bus, coach, train, tram, ferry and aircraft passengers, say face covers can be removed if it is “reasonably necessary” for a person to eat or drink or if they rely on lip-reading to communicate.

Coronavirus: what happened today
Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter

Read more about COVID-19
How to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms
How easing of lockdown rules affects you
In pictures: How UK school classrooms could look in new normal
How public transport could look after lockdown
How our public spaces will change in the future
Help and advice
Read the full list of official FAQs here
10 tips from the NHS to help deal with anxiety
What to do if you think you have symptoms
How to get help if you've been furloughed