Wearing masks will not be enforced on public transport across Greater Manchester, Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed, over concerns it would put employees in a "difficult position".
At his fortnightly virtual press conference, Mr Burnham said it would be confusing to passengers if the message in the region was different from the Government's.
However, he added that he will still "strongly encourage" residents to think about others and to wear masks when on public transport in Greater Manchester. He said the scrapping of mask rules specifically on public transport was "fairly reckless".
The mayor did admit that even if regional leaders wanted to expose a mask-wearing rule, they would only be able to do so on the trams.
Speaking to reporters, the mayor said: "The reality is that we are entering a new uncharted phase of the pandemic and obviously we will have to think about our messaging in that context.
"Looking at the polling, I think that there will be many, many people in Greater Manchester who are feeling a little uncertain about what lies ahead.
"We had the announcement from the Government yesterday. I broadly support the direction of travel although not with regard to the removal of the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport.
"After listening to the announcement I think the public will be feeling uncertain because on the one hand we were hearing a story of cases still rising, still being in the upward curve if you like of this Delta wave, the health secretary talking about 100,000 cases a day, it does not follow for people therefore that you remove all restrictions.
"I think the Government needs to think about its messaging at this particular moment in time and build that reassurance that amongst the public.
"We made clear, as did other mayors, that we did not think it was right to remove the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport but it's a case of we are where we are.
"We need now to respond to the position that Greater Manchester is in, in relation to this new advice.
"The places that have had higher case levels throughout the pandemic will be at greater risk in the coming period."
