Dublin may enforce wearing of face masks on public transport and in indoor retail settings

THE Irish Government is not ruling out making face coverings on public transport and retail outlets mandatory to help stop the spread of coronavirus, the Taoiseach has said.

Leo Varadkar launched a campaign to encourage people to wear face coverings on buses and trains and other public transport in the Republic as more shops begin to open.

Mr Varadkar called for the public to use face masks in places where social distancing is difficult, including public transport, crowded indoor spaces or when visiting the home of someone who has been cocooning.

“It’s seen as an additional hygiene measure that can help reduce the spread of infection,” he said.

“There will be a Government ad campaign running over the coming days and weeks.

“I do see people using them more and more so I think the message is getting across.”

Asked whether the Irish Government will enforce wearing face coverings, Mr Varadkar said: “We have given it consideration in making it mandatory, we don’t rule that out, but there are real difficulties with that.

“Some people have phobias, some people have breathing difficulties, there’s lots of different reasons as to why you wouldn’t make it mandatory.

“What we have seen during the pandemic is Irish people really understanding and following public health advice, and we haven’t had to underpin much of that with laws or fines.

“It’s much better to have people understand why it’s right to wear a mask and do it voluntarily.”

He added that the idea of refusing people entry into shops and on public transport without a mask is “under consideration”.

In Northern Ireland the Executive

has been considering making the wearing of face masks on public transport mandatory.

From yesterday it is compulsory to wear a face mask on buses and trains in England.

Around four out of five Tube and bus users in London wore a face covering yesterday, the city’s transport commissioner said.

Mike Brown said the response of passengers had “exceeded my expectations”.

He added: “More than 80% (compliance) is what we’re seeing in observations. In some places it’s higher, 85%-90%.”