❖ Coverings to be worn, says HRA

But those travelling in compartment stock may not be required to do so.

Passengers travelling on preserved railways in England will be required to wear face coverings, though not necessarily in compartment stock, says the Heritage Railway Association.

Following the Department for Transport’s ruling that “everyone must wear a face covering when travelling by public transport in England” would also apply to passengers “travelling on heritage railways and on steam-hauled main line charters” (SR507), the HRA sought clarification from both the DfT and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), given the likely negative impact the new regulations would have on private lines.

In response to the HRA’s enquiries, a DCMS official said: “The current legislation on the wearing of face coverings on public transport states that face masks should be worn on any service for the carriage of passengers from place to place which is available to the general public (whether or not payment is required for this service).

“These regulations include heritage rail. The reason for this measure is that trains are enclosed spaces where the risk of transmission is high, and therefore wearing masks could improve the protections for passengers and employees.”

As to whether the rules would apply to passengers travelling either alone or with members of their household/support bubble in compartment stock, the DCMS said: “If there are separate berths for individuals/families/bubbles, it may be acceptable to remove masks while passengers are in that accommodation alone or with members of their household/a linked household, provided safety of passengers can be assured.

“A heritage train with corridor coaches (where a corridor leads to several compartments) may be able to take advantage of this exemption provided that a compartment is occupied only with persons from the same or linked households.

“Additionally, the legislation states that masks may be removed ‘if it is reasonably necessary to eat or drink’. Organisations will need to fully consider if the nature of the train journeys they are providing would fall within the spirit of this caveat.”

Responding to the DCMS’ clarification on the rulings, the HRA states in its Resuming Operations – Guidance for Heritage Railways document that: “HRA members should develop and communicate a clear policy for face coverings, enabling all employees to understand what is available and why.

“The wording of the regulations does use the wording ‘from place to place’ and some have taken this to mean that an ‘out and back’ service might not be included in the requirements. The HRA does not yet consider that this should be used as a method of circumventing the intent, as the perception of members not complying with the public’s possible view of regulations – rightly or wrongly – might engender negative PR.

“We would suggest here that until legal advice is absolute, all services should keep to the face coverings requirements for passengers.”

Face coverings are now also required on public transport in Scotland, but are not mandatory at this time in Wales, though the Welsh Government recommends three-layer face coverings on public transport. Face coverings are also not mandatory in Northern Ireland but are recommended in particular circumstances, such as short periods in enclosed spaces where social distancing is impossible.

●● For what this means for charter steam, see Down Main.