Will TfL still be able to issue fines for non compliance from 19 July or is it a case of "not travelling"?
I'm not able to find any details on the TfL site about their rules post 19 July or any exemptions that apply?
TfL will not be able to issue fines, but depending on what happens with Byelaw 12, they could report you for prosecution instead, and then you would be fined, or offered an out of court settlement depending on how they're running things.
The safety notice under Byelaw 12(1) is not rescinded yet, and it is unclear what will happen to it from 19 July - and whilst some here doubt whether it is enforceable - I think it probably is, but I also think your chances of anyone actually enforcing it are fairly remote.
You cannot (currently) be issued a penalty for breaching a condition of travel, but you can be refused entry or asked to leave.
It's only when you then refuse to leave it gets a bit murky. Arguably ignoring them telling you to leave / refusing to leave
could be a criminal offence, either under Byelaw 12(1), 12(2) and Byelaw 24 (Removal of persons) or Section 16 Railway Regulation Act 1840 (Obstruction of staff in their duties and/or wilful trespass). Again, chance of enforcement under any of these is practically nil, but I'm sure there will be a sprinkling of prosecutions / theatre cases to make a point occasionally, probably to those types of passenger who like to make a vocal point.
The exemptions list is here:
The requirement to wear a face covering on TfL’s public transport stations, platforms and services does not apply to: • Children under the age of 11; • Employees of, or persons providing agreed services to, TfL; • Police constables (including British Transport Police officers) acting in the course of their duty; and • Members or employees of the emergency services responding to an emergency. You also do not need to wear a face covering if you have a good reason not to; such as: • if you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering • if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress • if you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip reading to communicate • if you are travelling to avoid injury or escape the risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you • if you need to remove it during your journey to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others • if you need to eat, drink, or take medication you can remove your face covering • if you are asked to remove your face covering by a police officer or other official, for example to check your railcard.
There's a good chance that virtually any member of the public could satisfy one of those conditions if they were so inclined.
However, do remember that in the very unlikely event that it did get as far as the local Magistrates' Court - you would probably be expected to substantiate your exemption in all likelihood. However, the exemption(s) above are not exhaustive, and "You also do not need to wear a face covering if you have a
good reason not to" is not defined, other than to give a list of their examples, so again, there is a lot of room for discretion (on both sides).
Finally, at least contractually, if your ticket was purchased prior to June 2021, the new conditions of travel do not apply to you. However, the Byelaw 12(1) notice or 12(2) verbal instructions still would be (if not rescinded by 19 July).