‘Significant minority’ flouting bus and train face coverings rule
CONCERNS remain that a significant minority of people are continuing to ignore the mandatory requirement to wear face coverings on public transport in Northern Ireland.
While Translink has reported “very high levels of compliance” from passengers, the figure could still be as low as 60%.
Police confirmed that since the introduction of the mandatory policy on July 10, no fines have been issued.
Responding to a Stormont question from MLA Andrew Muir, Infrastructure Minister Nichola
Mallon put the compliance rate at “between 60-85%” across bus and rail services in Northern Ireland.
Before the introduction of a mandatory requirement to wear the face coverings, only 10% of passengers were using the masks.
The Alliance MLA said more public awareness was still needed to ensure precautions against the continuing threat from the Covid-19 virus are adhered to.
“I am encouraged, especially as we approach the end of the shielding period and need to safeguard the most vulnerable as they travel by bus and train,” he said.
“Further public awareness campaigns are of key importance in the knowledge that requirement to wear face coverings whilst travelling by public transport will remain with us for a long while until Covid-19 is firmly gone. “Moving to a focus upon enforcement over engagement, encouragement and education may be necessary, but I hope this won’t be necessary and everyone will quickly adapt to the new normal.”
Ms Mallon admitted there was still room for improvement.
“Since the introduction of the by example by wearing assigned PPE and, have also been asked to remind passengers of their legal obligation and actively encourage them to wear face coverings.
“The measures outlined above will continue and going forward will be supported by an Executive public information campaign to encourage the wearing of face coverings in all indoor settings where social distance is difficult to maintain.”
Over the last four months, the percentage of the population in Great Britain wearing face masks in public has steadily increased.
However, a poll from Yougov suggests that the percentage wearing masks in public places in
Northern Ireland has not increased significantly, and as a result is now lagging significantly behind England, Scotland and Wales at only 20% in July.
The Uk-wide uptake is at 37%, still far behind Italy and Spain who are reporting between 80-90% of people wearing face coverings while in public places, with France between 80-90%.
Stormont is set to review the uptake of face coverings on August 20, and will “implement the power to make this mandatory” if there hasn’t been “a significant increase” by this point.
Health Minister Robin Swann has said that he expects 80% uptake by August 20.