Greater Manchester mask mandate to be kept under 'continual review'

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has announced that passengers on Metrolink – the UK’s largest light rail network – will have to continue to wear a face covering unless exempt when government restrictions are lifted, to provide reassurance and protect the most vulnerable.

The announcement comes ahead of the removal of legal measures imposed by government on Monday 19 July, which mandate the wearing of a face covering on all public transport in England.

The new rules will be implemented from next Monday, following the Mayor’s decision to contact Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to request they amend the Conditions of Carriage on Metrolink.

Failure to comply with the new Conditions of Carriage, could see passengers refused travel, escorted off Metrolink services - or facing a fine of up to £100.

Passengers using bus stations and interchanges will also be required to wear face coverings unless exempt.

'Continual review'

All of the changes will be kept under continual review and any changes will be led by science and public safety considerations.

While the wearing of face coverings on buses and trains themselves cannot be mandated - other public transport users as well as people using taxis and private hire vehicles in Greater Manchester will be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while they are travelling.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We all want to support our city-region as it reopens, and I believe that needs to be done as safely as possible for all of our residents.

“There are around 200,000 people in Greater Manchester who are clinically vulnerable and I believe the Government’s decision to drop the requirement to wear face masks on public transport could put those people more at risk when using public transport, or force them off altogether. I do not believe they should be put in that unfair position.

“I have been listening to people’s concerns and, in response, have decided to continue to require the wearing of face coverings on Metrolink as well as at bus stations and interchanges. To that end I have asked TfGM to make this a requirement for Metrolink and at bus stations and interchanges. I will also be strongly encouraging people to wear them on buses and trains.

“I hope the people of Greater Manchester will understand why I have taken this decision and will continue to wear face coverings on public transport. This is a city-region built on a strong sense of solidarity and doing the right thing by each other, and that will be demonstrated by continuing to wear our face coverings.”

The ongoing impact of Coronavirus is also affecting the delivery of public transport services and frequencies across Greater Manchester as a result of both positive tests and test and trace requirements.

The impacts are being managed as best they can be through regular monitoring and service amendments – as well as the ongoing efforts of dedicated transport staff across all modes.