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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Ellie Kemp

Trade union calls for face masks to be mandatory on public transport

A trade union has urged the government to reintroduce mandatory mask wearing on public transport.

Unite, which represents tens of thousands of transport workers, says mask wearing significantly reduces the risk of Covid infection to both passengers and workers.

The union’s national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton, said: “The government can no longer pretend that Covid-19 is not a risk and needs to take immediate action to protect key workers and passengers.

“By reintroducing mask wearing the danger of infection to both bus workers and passengers is significantly reduced.

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“This is a sensible measure the government could and should take that does not damage the economy in anyway.

“The reintroduction of mask wearing must go hand-in-hand with the proper enforcement of such rules.”

Face masks haven't been a legal requirement on public transport or indoors since 19 July - perhaps better known as Freedom Day.

However, coverings could be legally mandated if the Covid Plan B winter strategy is implemented.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday night that the government had no current plans to implement the plan.

But he said the goverment will “do what it takes to make sure that this pressure doesn’t become unsustainable, and that we don’t allow the NHS to become overwhelmed.”

He warned that Covid-19 cases could reach 100,000 a day as the country enters a challenging winter period.

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