Mask debate as passengers set to board buses

New Zealand’s health boss and Auckland Transport are at odds over whether passengers should wear masks on public transport.

Passenger number are expected to jump next week as more people go back to work under alert level 3 and the city’s bus timetable returns to normal after weeks of reduced services during the hardline alert level 4 Covid-19 lockdown.

But as passenger numbers increase, Auckland Transport has encouraged passengers to don face masks.

“The wearing of masks is not mandatory on public transport, but we recommend that customers use them if possible as an added precaution against the spread of Covid19,” the transport group said.

However, the nation’s top health official — director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield — said yesterday his team did not recommend face masks on public transport.

“At this point, we are not recommending people use face masks routinely,” he said.

“We don’t think it is an important part of our overall measures.

“The most important parts are the physical distancing and hygiene and other safety measures, and, of course, maintaining the bubbles — that is the really critical thing . . . under alert level 3.”

Bloomfield said debate over the effectiveness of masks remained divided. “You can find very high-level specialists on both sides of the argument.” With that said, people who wanted to use masks were welcome to do so. But they should make sure they knew how to use them, Bloomfield said.

People not used to wearing masks may be tempted to unconsciously use their hands to adjust them regularly, potentially bringing germs from surfaces they touch into contact with their faces.