Public transport passengers must wear a face covering to fight spread of COVID-19

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has again reminded the travelling public of the importance of wearing face coverings on public transport including buses, trains and the Strangford Ferry.

Face coverings are mandatory on public transport as part of efforts in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. 

Passengers travelling on public transport services in Northern Ireland are required to wear a face covering. Face coverings are also required in public transport stations.

Nichola Mallon said:  

“Covid-19 has not gone away and while our public transport operators have many measures in place to ensure our public transport network is safe, we all must  remain vigilant and continue to play our part in preventing the spread of Covid-19.  

"This includes adhering to the Face Covering Regulations by wearing a face covering and following the advice of public transport operators. Compliance rates with the mandatory requirements to wear a face covering on public transport have remained high throughout this pandemic but we must redouble our efforts  to protect the vulnerable and ourselves and to protect out health service. 

"The evidence provided by health professionals is clear you can reduce the risk of spreading the virus by wearing a face covering.  Exemptions are in place for those who cannot wear a face covering but I urge all those who can, to comply with the requirements.   I also urge people to wash and sanitise their hands regularly.

"All of these measures can make a difference and help us to reduce the transmission rates of Covid-19, protecting our citizens, our businesses and our health service throughout this winter.”    

Notes to editors: 

1. Translink carry out a random sample of services to monitor compliance with the mandatory requirements for face coverings. Compliance rates for the month of October were 83.7% on Ulsterbus; 62.9% on Metro and 75% on NIR.
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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