Growing calls to make masks mandatory on public transport

The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting to discuss it.

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There are growing calls for face masks to be made mandatory on public transport

The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting to discuss it, as coronavirus restrictions continue to be eased.

Anecdotal evidence seems to show few people are wearing face masks and pressure is now growing on the Government to make them mandatory in certain settings.

The National Bus and Rail Union wants legislation to make it compulsory on public transport.

General Secretary Dermot O’Leary said the current messages are ambiguous.

"I would suggest at this stage that we need legislation to ensure that people wear face coverings on public transport".

Immunologist Prof Luke O’Neill has also criticised the mixed messages about face masks. He said that clarity is needed:

" I would definitely make it a condition of travel on public transport like the UK has done".

The National Public Health Emergency Team has been meeting where face masks is likely to be discussed at length. The acceleration of the easing of further restrictions is also on the agenda.