Face coverings compulsory for bus users in sister isle

In England, face coverings must be worn by everyone over the age of 11 in enclosed public spaces such as shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks and post offices, as well as train and bus stations and airports.

Shop workers will not have to wear coverings, but customers must put one on before entering any establishment and keep it on until they leave.

Those who fail to do so could be fined up to £100.

From yesterday, anyone travelling by bus in Jersey will need to wear a face covering.

The requirement coincided with capacity on buses returning to pre-lockdown levels, rather than the half-capacity limit that has been in place for the past eight weeks.

LibertyBus said that anyone not wearing a face covering will be refused travel unless they are in an exempt group, such as young children.

Kevin Hart, director for LibertyBus, said: ‘We believe that making face coverings a condition of travel will enhance confidence in using the bus, therefore increasing revenue which we can put back in to running more frequent and later services.’

Guernsey’s Covid-free status and lack of face coverings has been welcomed on social media.

Deputy Rhian Tooley said: ‘I genuinely can’t process the image of towns full of people all wearing masks. Going out to shop and eat like that is totally alien to us, of course we’d do it if needed,

but here it isn’t necessary,

we can live life pretty much normally.’

In England, face masks do not have to be worn where it would be considered ‘impractical’ to do so, such as restaurants, pubs and gyms.

Anyone who goes to buy takeaway food must keep their nose/mouth covered, but face

coverings can be taken off if the customer is sitting down to eat and drink.

Face masks are optional in museums, cinemas, concert halls, theatres, beauty salons, dentist surgeries and opticians.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings do not have to be worn in shops or takeaways but in Scotland they are compulsory in shops and libraries only, not takeaways, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs or banks.

Since 15 June, anyone travelling by bus, train, ferry or plane in England must wear a covering, unless they have been exempted.

People can be refused travel if they do not follow the rules and can be fined.

In Scotland, it is also compulsory to wear face coverings on all public transport.

People were also be required to wear masks on public transport in Wales from yesterday.

The wearing of face coverings on most buses, trains and ferries became mandatory in Northern Ireland on 10 July.