Merseyrail has issued an update on its position on passengers wearing masks after July 19.
The Merseyside train operator has announced masks will not be required, but that they would "expect" people to wear them in crowded areas while travelling with them from July 19.
Transport companies have the power to turn away customers who refuse to cover their noses and mouths even when the legal requirement is lifted on Monday.
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The issue has been much-discussed ahead of the reopening, with Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram saying he was 'hitting brick walls' when it comes to enforcing face masks on transport in Merseyside due to private companies owning them.
In a press conference with four other metro mayors on Wednesday, Mayor Rotheram said he was able to make masks mandatory on Mersey Ferries and at the landing stage and pleaded with private travel providers to contact him.
He added how he would have made mask wearing mandatory on all public transport "if he could" but explained he did not have the same powers as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Today Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail, said: “From Monday 19th July the majority of lockdown restrictions will come to an end and face coverings will no longer be a legal requirement on public transport.
“However, we do expect passengers to follow government guidance and wear a face covering in crowded spaces out of respect for others unless exempt.
“As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to do as much as we can to keep our staff and passengers safe by extensively cleaning trains and stations throughout the day using specialist cleaning products.”
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "we expect and recommend" people continue to wear face coverings in "crowded and enclosed spaces such as on public transport".
Sadiq Khan said he was not prepared to put Tube, bus and other transport users at risk by relaxing the rules on face coverings.
This means that, despite the easing of restrictions on 19 July, it will be listed as a condition in a legal agreement between Transport for London (TfL) and its customers.
Andy Burnham, Manchester's metro mayor, said he was able to require mask wearing on Metrolink services, in a continuation of the current restrictions.
