West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin has made mask-wearing compulsory for commuters inside all West Yorkshire bus stations.
The metro mayor has stipulated in a new order that all bus passengers must continue to cover their nose and mouth whilst travelling in West Yorkshire after July 19.
According to reports by Leeds Live, Brabin wants mask-wearing in public spaces to continue but only has the power to enforce this in bus stations.
The news comes amidst some confusion on what the new mask guidance will look like on Monday after senior officials appear to have backtracked on the initial “it is entirely voluntary” policy which was first announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week.
Since then, official language has been considerably toughened up: with ministers saying people will be “expected” to cover their faces in crowded indoor areas, such as on public transport and in shops.
There is a legal framework in place for rail and transit operators to make mask use a condition of travel, however, there is currently no basis in law for shop owners to bar the maskless – even if the shop owner is clinically vulnerable themselves.
Speaking on the new order in a statement, Tracy Brabin said: “The past 18 months has been incredibly hard for our West Yorkshire communities – no more so than for the vulnerable and for people who have tragically lost loved ones.”
“This is why, today I am urging people across the region to wear a face mask on all of our public transport networks. I hope this will give encouragement to those who are vulnerable – such as those using public transport to attended chemotherapy appointments – to continue to travel on public transport.”
The decision by Brabin in West Yorkshire follows a move by London mayor Sadiq Khan, which saw him ask Transport for London (TfL) to enforce the use of mask-wearing on buses and trains even after restrictions are lifted.
Wearing masks in public places has many benefits, especially for key workers in retail and on public transport who will be put at greater risk of exposure – which then could have a knock-on effect on services being canceled if staff test positive or have to self isolate.
A recent You Gov poll on mask-wearing also suggests that the order from Brabin will be well received, given that two-thirds of Britons said they wanted mask-wearing to continue after July 19.
“With that in mind, and with 71% of the public supportive of the continued use of face coverings, I am today mandating the use of face coverings across bus stations in West Yorkshire. Whilst I would like to go further to include buses and trains, we are doing what is in our power,” Brabin added.
“I have been consistently clear with government – they have the power to mandate face masks across all transport networks and I would support them to make that decision as restrictions lift. While the vaccination roll out is impressive, we still have further to go with infections across West Yorkshire still high.
“We have come so far. Let’s stick together, support each other so places like West Yorkshire can recover and thrive.”
Feature image: Tracy Brabin Facebook
