Ministers thank members of the public and transport operators for compliance with the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport

Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, along with Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, have welcomed the introduction of Regulations for the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport, which come into effect today under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020.

Public health advice makes clear that face coverings can protect people by reducing the risk of spreading Covid-19, and they are especially important in interior spaces where groups of people are gathered. That is why the Government decided to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory on public transport, where people can be together in the same space for some time.

Minister Ryan stated: “I am pleased to say that the National Transport Authority has reported high levels of compliance across the public transport network today. However, we need to ensure that everyone complies, with the exception of those who cannot do so for health reasons or because they are under 13. The mandatory wearing of face coverings will play an important role in ensuring that those who need to travel can do so safely.”

“Throughout the pandemic Irish people have shown willingness to make daily compromises in the interests of all. Our healthcare staff have worn PPE that’s often uncomfortable for months on end to protect their patients, so the least we can all do is wear a face covering to protect ourselves, our families and our community. I want to thank people for taking this campaign to heart, and to thank our frontline transport staff who have played a pivotal role throughout the Covid-19 crisis. These regulations provide for penalties for those who don’t wear a face covering, but I’m expecting that the travelling public will do the right thing.”

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, said: “I would like to whole-heartedly thank the public for their ongoing solidarity and compliance with public health advice, including the wearing of face coverings on public transport. Wearing a face covering not only protects staff and passengers on public transport, it is also a symbol that you care about the well-being of those around you.”

“The power of collective action in Ireland has been huge right throughout this pandemic - and that is down to individual actions we take on every day such as wearing a face covering, keeping 2m apart if possible and washing our hands. Working together to do these small, crucial things has brought us to where we are today in our united efforts to suppress COVID-19.”

“It’s vital that we all wear our face coverings safely - ensure your hands are clean before putting on and removing, avoid touching the front of the covering entirely, and when not in use, store it in a Ziploc bag until you can get home to wash it. It’s also important to remember that some members of the community cannot wear a covering for health reasons, and not to criticise or judge them for this.”

CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, said: “The clear and consistent message is that face coverings on public transport make journeys safer for passengers and for workers. This Regulation will increase people’s confidence in public transport and encourage more people back on to our buses, trams and trains.

“The take-up of face coverings on public transport in recent weeks has been encouraging and we would like to thank those customers for responding so positively.

“The signing of this Regulation will enable us to get the message out loud and clear that everybody must now wear a face covering. A major part of our focus this week is on education, awareness and giving our passengers every encouragement to comply.

“We are asking people to do the right thing and exercise their personal responsibility. My mask protects you. Your mask protects me.”

ENDS

Additional Information:

These regulations will be in place until the 5th of October and mean that all passengers, with some exceptions, will now be required to wear face coverings, thereby providing additional protection to both passengers and drivers. However, public health advice also makes clear that face coverings are not suitable for everyone, and for this reason, the regulations provide for instances where customers have a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering, including where they:

• cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress

• need to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating

• remove the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person

• remove the face covering to take medication

Children under the age of 13 are not required to wear a face covering. It is important to state that some members of the public are unable to wear face coverings due to health reasons or age and should not be criticised or judged for this. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is engaging with public transport operators regarding implementation of the Regulations. The NTA is also making arrangements for an easy and discreet way for vulnerable people who have a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering to communicate this with relevant public transport staff. It will be a voluntary arrangement for passengers who wish to use it, and will be similar to the recently-introduced JAM (just a minute) card.

The Regulations are implementable by a “relevant person” who is defined as any officer, employee or agent of a public transport operator or of the National Transport Authority. Where a passenger is not wearing a face covering, a relevant person under the Regulations may request the passenger to wear a face covering, refuse the passenger entry to the public transport vehicle, or may request the passenger to alight from the vehicle. A passenger must comply with these requests or with a refusal of entry. Failure to comply is an offence and there are penalties for non-compliance. Also, a relevant person who is implementing the Regulations can seek the assistance of the Gardaí where needed.