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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Jessica Sansome

Can you use public transport to go shopping? The rules getting the tram, train or bus from today

We're all pretty accustomed to lockdown now with the country under the strict measures for the last three months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

But June has already seen the relaxing of some of the rules with more due to follow in the next week.

From Monday, June 15, five big changes will be made to the lockdown regulations in England - including the reopening of non-essential shops and outdoor attractions.

And there are also set to be changes to the rules when using public transport, something which the government has asked to be kept to a strict minimum since lockdown began in March.

So, what is changing?

With more places set to reopen, this means more people will be expected back at work and if without their own transports, the bus, tram or train may be the only option.

From Monday, anyone using public transport in England will be required to wear a face covering - this includes buses, trams, trains, coaches, aircrafts and ferries.

There is, however, an exemption to this rule for young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.

Passengers are being asked to wear face covering on their journey to help reduce the risk of transmission when social distancing is not always possible.

The government is still asking people to consider whether their journey is necesary.

If it is, on your journey you should try and maintain social distancing where possible, wear a face covering, use contactless also where possible and wash or sanitize your hands as frequently as you can.

People should also not use public transport if they have any coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating or are clinically vulnerable.

Government guidance is that people can also reduce travel by working from home where possible and shopping less frequently and shopping locally.

On Friday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the daily government briefing there was no need for people to wear face coverings in all public settings, just in enclosed spaces.

Responding to whether people should wear face coverings at all times in public, Mr Shapps said: “By its very nature if you are on a train or a plane or a ferry or a bus you are in an enclosed area. That is not the case if you are out and about on the streets. And I think that may be the principle difference of this.”

Network Rail’s chairman Sir Peter Hendy added: “The reality of our transport systems and particularly as the economy ramps up is that there will be more occasions at which you might be closer to people than you would care for.

“So it seems perfectly logical to me and all my colleagues and transport operators to mandate face coverings now, because as we get to Monday and the restart of non-essential retail and looking at more people going to work it is much more likely that you’ll see, or be close to other people.

“So face coverings is a sensible thing to do and we’re expecting on Monday, because passengers are hugely sensible, for people to be wearing face coverings.”

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