NO MASK? NO SEAT ON THE BUS... AND POSSIBLY A FINE
MASKS will become mandatory on public transport from Monday, the Taoiseach has said, with jail and fines a possibility for those who flout the rule.
Since Monday, June 30, people have only been advised to wear face coverings on public transport but there has been no enforcement of the safety measure.
Now those who do not comply with the new laws will be refused entry on to carriages and coaches.
Those who persist in flouting the new regulation on public transport could face fines of up to €2,500 and/ or six months in prison.
The move comes as Ireland’s coronavirus reproductive number increased to one this week and more cases linked to travel have been imported.
Speaking in Dublin yesterday, Micheál Martin, whose late father was a bus driver, said the regulations enforcing the wearing of face coverings on public transport were aimed at protecting staff and commuters against Covid-19.
He said: ‘As from Monday the wearing of masks will be compulsory on public transport. We also encourage people to wear masks in crowded indoor gatherings and where social distancing is not possible. My own experience, when we get laws enacted and signed off, compliance does follow.
‘You have to build up compliance as with all public health measures but, basically, people will not be allowed to stay on buses or trains without a mask.
‘If you look back at our experience throughout Covid-19, it has been about compliance and engaging people to come with us.
‘The National Transport Authority will now have the authority and the capacity to say to people that you may not come on if you’re not wearing a mask. Of course if people persist in disobeying, then gardaí will be called, but we don’t envisage that being necessary.
‘Compliance is a science in itself. It’s not about going in on day one and going very hard on someone. It’s about building up compliance and providing proper notice and campaigns around it,’ he said.
‘There will be a communication campaign around this.’
More cases linked to travel