Greater Anglia ask passengers to keep wearing face coverings

The company say they want customers to feel safe

Author: Dan GoodingPublished 19th Jul 2021

Greater Anglia are asking us to keep wearing face coverings on trains in Essex from today.

Although not a legal requirement anymore, the operator say they want all customers to travel safely.

They are removing some social-distancing markings, though.

Although many restrictions have been lifted, the Government is keeping in place "key protections" - including wearing a face covering in crowded places, such as busy trains.

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director said: "We're looking forward to welcoming people back to our railway.

"Although the Government has lifted many measures, they are still recommending and expecting people to wear face coverings in crowded places, so we're asking our customers to continue to wear face coverings on busy trains and stations.

"We've been really grateful to the high numbers of customers who have helped keep us all safe by wearing a face covering throughout their journey in the last year.

"Although we're removing some social distancing markings, we're still asking people to use the whole length of trains and platform and we've improved our less busy trains tool on our website, which shows at a glance which rush hour services to London Liverpool Street have fewer passengers on board.

"We're also keeping hand sanitiser available at staffed stations as government advice remains to regularly wash and sanitise your hands.

"Passengers coming back for the first time since the first lockdown, will notice many changes - such as more new longer trains in passenger service, including some routes which are exclusively served by new trains, and extra cleaners wiping down high touch areas on trains at the end of each journey to keep them clean and sanitised."

Greater Anglia's trains either have air conditioning which sucks in fresh air every six to nine minutes, or opening windows. All train doors open at stations to allow further ventilation.

The train company is currently running about 86 per cent of the normal timetable, so customers should check before they travel to make sure the service they want to catch is running.

Customers are advised that in London, Wales and Scotland wearing of face coverings is mandatory on public transport.

What can we do today?

What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?

From the 19th July in England, wearing facemasks is no longer compulsory. You'll no longer be legally required to wear one when you're out and about.

What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?

From the 19th there will be no legal limits on the size of groups that can gather, meaning no rule of six or bubbles to consider.

What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?

All social distancing rules are scrapped from the 19th July

What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?

From 'freedom day' workers are no longer being asked to work from home if possible, the government have said that people can go back into the workplace, even if they can do their job from home

What things are going back to normal?

Nightclubs and events like concerts, gigs and theatres will be able to re-open as normal from the 19th, although the government are encouraging venues like nightclubs to use Covid status certification, often called vaccine passports.

What things are going back to normal?

With no limit on the numbers that can gather and social distancing rules removed, Wedding sand funerals and other large occasions are back to normal.

What things are going back to normal?

Pubs and restaurants can go back to having people order at the bar and not have to have screens between tables, although it's thought many will keep some of the precautions in place.

Where do I need to wear a facemask?

Despite it no longer being a legal requirement, the government have made it clear that they recommend and expect facemasks to be worn in crowded areas and on public transport. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made facemasks compulsory on public transport in London, with travel operators around the country making their own decisions on rules.

What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?

If you're pinged by the NHS test and trace app because you've been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus you do still have to isolate. The government announced this will be ending for those who have had both doses of the vaccine and those under 18, but that doesn't come into force until the 16th August

What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?

Countries you can travel to and from and whether you need to quarantine are still regulated by the green, amber and red lists. Although from the 19th July people who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to return quarantine-free to England from amber list countries

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