Commuters will not be allowed on a bus or train without a face mask from Monday.
And any rogue travellers could be hit with a €2,500 fine or a six-month prison sentence if they don’t obey the rules.
The move was announced by Micheal Martin last night in one of his first major policy decisions as Taoiseach. He warned: “If people persist in disobeying, then gardai can be called.”
One more person with Covid-19 was confirmed to have died yesterday.
The 25 new cases was the most in a single day here since June 13.
People who do not comply with laws that make face coverings mandatory on public transport could face fines of up to €2,500 and/or six months in prison.
The new legislation, which was signed yesterday, means that if a person does not comply then a driver or inspector can alert gardai.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said if people persist in disobeying, then gardai could be called, but the Government did not envisage that this would be necessary.
If the person fails to cooperate with gardai, they can face arrest and prosecution, which could lead to a €2,500 fine and/or six months in prison.
He said the Government will encourage people to wear face coverings in crowded indoor gatherings and where social distancing is not possible. Mr Martin also indicated that the gardai will be out in force again from today patrolling pubs to ensure compliance with the new food and drink rules.
Operation Navigation will be in force for a second weekend.
Mr Martin said: “If you look back at our whole Covid-19 experience it’s been really about developing compliance, engagement, and people have generally come with us, come with the authorities. But it will be clear in the regulations that the National Transport Authority will have the authority and the capacity to say to people you may not come on if you don’t have a mask.”
Labour transport spokesman Duncan Smith said that making
the wearing of face masks mandatory is welcome, but that further action is needed, such as free
coverings.
He added: “This directive is not enough, we also need a clear advertising campaign educating
citizens on the proper usage of face masks.
“Free masks should also be provided at train and bus stations, health care settings, work places and our secondary schools and colleges to build compliance and also to consider the provision of masks to each household.
“This would cost around €60million but would be a welcome investment for the months ahead. However, it is not yet clear who will police the mask wearing.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said this will be worked on over the weekend.
National Bus and Rail Union general secretary Dermot O’Leary said that his members, bus and train drivers, will not be making people wear face coverings.
He added: “I’m very clear who should be policing the laws of this land, and that is the gardai.”
The move comes as one more person with Covid-19 died in Ireland yesterday while another 25 cases were confirmed.
It is the most cases confirmed in a single day since June 13.
There have now been a total of 1,744 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland and 25,589 confirmed cases of the virus.
