Not wearing a face mask on the Tube should be a CRIMINAL offence says Sadiq Khan as London Mayor says he is lobbying government to bring in by law to issue fixed penalty notices

Wearing of face masks on trains are no longer legally required after July 19
But London Mayor Sadiq Khan is pushing government for by-law to apply for TfL
Currently London tube staff can tell passengers to leave if not wearing a mask but cannot impose fines

Published: 10:53 BST, 5 August 2021 | Updated: 11:59 BST, 5 August 2021

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Sadiq Khan has said that failing to wear a face mask on the Tube should become a criminal offence.

The London Mayor has been pushing the the government to allow Transport for London (TfL) to impose a by-law requiring face coverings on the capital's transport network.

Since the easing of restrictions on July 19 'Freedom Day', passengers have only been required to wear a covering as a 'condition of carriage' rather than a legal requirement.

Sadiq Khan has said that failing to wear a face mask on the Tube should become a criminal offence unless people are exempt (stock photo)

This means TfL staff can tell non-compliant customers to leave a bus or train but are powerless to impose fines.

But Mr Khan now wants a bye-law put in place to effectively bring back the rule that was dropped on July 19.

The rule change would also mean British Transport Police officers could be used to enforce it.

Speaking to the BBC's Newscast podcast Mr Khan said: 'We are trying to lobby the Government to allow us to bring in a bye-law, so it will be the law again, so we can issue fixed penalty notices and we can use the police service and BTP to enforce this.'

The London Mayor has been pushing the the government to allow Transport for London ( TfL ) to impose a by-law requiring face coverings on the capital's transport network

'We need people to be coming back to the West End. We want to encourage people to return to their offices.

'They are not going to do so if they don’t feel public transport is safe.

'I’m hoping the Government understands, on the issue of public safety and public confidence, we want to be able to use the law to make sure people do wear face masks in spaces where you can’t keep your social distance for obvious reasons.'

A decision taken by Mr Khan weeks ago means that face coverings are still compulsory on the Tube despite other transport networks choosing not to make them a requirement.

However since the change TfL has said the overall compliance rate remains high at 85 per cent.

The public remains broadly behind the wearing of masks, with 64 per cent of adults in Great Britain saying they still plan to cover their faces in shops, and the same percentage saying they would do so on public transport.

Airlines still mandate mask wearing, while pubs, visitor attractions and local travel companies have all come up with their own rules.

Announcing the rule change in July, the Government said it 'expects and recommends' masks to be worn by workers and customers in crowded, enclosed spaces such as public transport.

Public Health England (PHE) said staff, patients and visitors in all NHS settings must continue to wear face coverings and observe social distancing.

Where do you still have to wear face coverings?

What are the rules on wearing masks in England?

People are no longer required by law to wear face coverings in certain settings now the remaining restrictions in England have been lifted.

But the latest guidance, issued in July, says the Government 'expects and recommends' masks to be worn by workers and customers in crowded, enclosed spaces such as public transport.

Does this mean that people do not need to carry masks with them anymore?

It is probably best not to be too quick to throw away your mask.

Health leaders, local politicians, shop bosses and transport chiefs have all said that they will continue to require or encourage people to wear face coverings.

This means that face coverings may be required in some premises, on some bus and train services, hospitals and GP surgeries.

Do people still need masks to go to the shops?

Supermarket chain Sainsbury's on Wednesday said it would encourage all customers to continue wearing face coverings from July 19 if they can.

Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose also came out to say they will encourage customers and staff to continue wearing masks in their supermarkets from when restrictions ease.

Staff and customers at Waitrose and John Lewis have also been recommended to continue wearing masks but the John Lewis Partnership said it will ultimately be up to individual judgment.

How about public transport?

Face coverings will continue to be compulsory in some locally operated public transport spaces.

People in West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire will have to continue wearing face masks in bus stations operated by the combined authorities, while passengers using the Metro in the North East will also be required to wear a face covering.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also said face coverings will be required on Transport for London (TfL) services as a 'condition of carriage'.

This means enforcement officers would be able to deny access or eject passengers found to be non-compliant while using the TfL network.

Face coverings will also remain compulsory on Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram services and the Heathrow Express.

What about other transport providers?

Cross-Channel train firm Eurostar, airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, plus Heathrow Airport will continue to require passengers to wear face coverings.

Heathrow Express, which operates services to London Paddington, said face coverings will remain mandatory.

But all other train companies such as Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern, plus major bus and coach companies including National Express and Megabus, will not demand mask-wearing.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which represents major bus and coach operators such as National Express and Megabus, has also said that its members will not mandate the wearing of face coverings.

Minicab hailing app Uber has also said drivers and passengers will continue to be required to wear a mask even though they will no longer be required by law.

- Does this mean different parts of the country have different rules on public transport?

Elected regional mayors across England have warned that without a continued national mandate there would be a 'ridiculous mismatch' of rules across the country that will be 'confusing' for passengers.

The Labour metro mayors for West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North of Tyne, West of England and South Yorkshire have urged the Government to continue to make face coverings compulsory on all public transport beyond the lifting of restrictions.

What about going to a hospital or GP appointment?

Staff, patients and visitors in all NHS settings must continue to wear face coverings and observe social distancing, Public Health England (PHE) has said.

PHE said infection prevention measures and visiting guidance will continue across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dental practices, optometrists and pharmacies, to ensure patients and staff are protected.

Staff, patients and visitors will be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules when visiting any care setting, as well as using face coverings and other personal protection equipment.

And offices?

It is up to individual employers to decide.