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Face coverings compulsory on public transport in England from 15 June

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yorksrob

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The downside to this,of course is that asthmatics will now be unable to use public transport as doctors strongly advise against the use of face coverings as it would prevent them from breathing properly.

He did mention that some disabled people would be exempt. This suggests that there's scope for exemptions for other medical reasons.
 
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Mojo

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However it would help if there were vending machines selling masks at rail and bus stations, and rail staff (whether at a station or on a train) and bus drivers had a small stock of masks in case someone forgets theirs.
My union rep said that masks are to be handed out free of charge at some stations from next week.
 

route:oxford

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You'll probably find the English TOCs will apply it regardless whether you are in Scotland or Wales. As is their right.
Scotland has a completely different legal system.

For example, you if you were to down a pint in Carlisle, then drive across the border, you can't claim that you want to be covered by English drink-drive laws when you are breathalysed.
 

43066

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It will be interesting to see how many people adhere to this; for example, those who always want to carry on long and apparently vital phone conversations. I haven't travelled by train since lockdown started so have no idea of the current degree of covering.

A fair proportion of travellers are now wearing masks, albeit often badly fitting, or of a completely inappropriate type: masks with outlet valves, for example.
 

SuperNova

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The downside to this,of course is that asthmatics will now be unable to use public transport as doctors strongly advise against the use of face coverings as it would prevent them from breathing properly.

Those with breathing issues are exempt.
 

Qwerty133

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He did mention that some disabled people would be exempt. This suggests that there's scope for exemptions for other medical reasons.
Have we suddenly decided that railway staff are trained medical practitioners? Unless we have clearly it'd be completely inappropriate for them to question anyone who says they have a medical reason not to wear one, which makes the whole thing unenforceable.
 

AM9

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The downside to this,of course is that asthmatics will now be unable to use public transport as doctors strongly advise against the use of face coverings as it would prevent them from breathing properly.
Did he not say that there would be specific exemptions for health reasons? I presume that would mean those wishing to use a medical condition as a reason for not covering up would need proof of such a condition.
As far as those with asthma and similar respiratory issues, I would think that if it is bad enough to make wearing a face covering difficult, then they would also be much less likely to travel on public transport whilst the risk of infection is high. Many would be shielded.
 

Mojo

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Those with breathing issues are exempt.
Wonder how many people will suddenly claim to have asthma.

This new law will have more holes in it than a surgical face mask!
 

yorksrob

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Have we suddenly decided that railway staff are trained medical practitioners? Unless we have clearly it'd be completely inappropriate for them to question anyone who says they have a medical reason not to wear one, which makes the whole thing unenforceable.

I suspect it will be one for passengers to self-police to an extent.
 

MikeWM

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He did mention that some disabled people would be exempt. This suggests that there's scope for exemptions for other medical reasons.

...so unless people are going to patrol stations and trains demanding of everyone without a mask to prove they have asthma or similar, that doesn't seem entirely enforceable......
 

mmh

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The policy in Wales is that face coverings in any indoor setting (shops/buses/trains) are just voluntary, not even recommended (as in England), so i'd be surprised if face coverings are made compulsory in Wales but that's just me speculating.

By Monday the Welsh Government will announce that they're doing the same. That gives them enough to say they've made an independent decision. They'll probably start on a different day or make it slightly but meaninglessly different to reinforce their independence.
 

TEW

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My union rep said that masks are to be handed out free of charge at some stations from next week.
They've been being given out, along with hand sanitiser, at Waterloo since the start of this week at least.
 

AM9

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Have we suddenly decided that railway staff are trained medical practitioners? Unless we have clearly it'd be completely inappropriate for them to question anyone who says they have a medical reason not to wear one, which makes the whole thing unenforceable.
I think 'saying' that you are exempt might need to be backed up with a 'doctor's letter' to prevent dihonest claims.
 

mmh

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I suspect that it won't be rigidly enforced, just like the "..quarantine..." rules coming in next Monday.

It'll be enforced by the public. If you thought people jumping into roads were overreacting, wait until there's a visible sign that a stranger wants to murder you.
 

AM9

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Wonder how many people will suddenly claim to have asthma.

This new law will have more holes in it than a surgical face mask!
Those claiming will have until the 15th June to get a simple confirmation of their claim from their doctor's surgery.
 

Deepgreen

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For god's sake, masks do jack all to stop you getting the virus. Especially when front line workers are struggling to get them
Indeed, and they are supposed to be partly effective at limiting the spread of droplets while coughing or sneezing, etc., but not in terms of inhaling the virus. How many people will actually keep their masks on while doing these things? It's a reflex action to remove anything over the face when sneezing. I think it will be pointless.
 

yorksrob

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...so unless people are going to patrol stations and trains demanding of everyone without a mask to prove they have asthma or similar, that doesn't seem entirely enforceable......
That's worse! How long before some poor person with asthma is verbally or physically attacked on a train?

By "self-policing" I meant people would be expected to comply themselves, rather than going vigilante !
 

ChiefPlanner

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My union rep said that masks are to be handed out free of charge at some stations from next week.

You will , no doubt pardon my all too common references to the NY subway - but there was a suggestion that a team of about 3000 "volunteers from city resources" is being considered to staff stations etc to hand out face masks / covering as soon as possible to assist with facemasks and gel for passengers who are not in possession of same. (they are planning further service increases from next week)

The "volunteers" presumably being not off the community - but paid staff from city resources. Interesting (and worthy) idea IMHO.
 

johntea

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Oh joy!

Another area that hasn't really been discussed that much is since face masks became a 'thing' I now see without fail several just dumped in the streets on my walk to and from work!
 

AM9

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How do you suggest that literally millions of people obtain such letters in just over a week?
Millions, are you serious! If it meant that the holder of the letter could travel for free they wouldn't have any problems getting one. :)
 

yorksrob

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They've been being given out, along with hand sanitiser, at Waterloo since the start of this week at least.

That would be useful, I haven't seen hand sanitizer for sale since February.
 

The_Train

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I can't see the point in it myself. So much science suggests that they have very limited use when it comes to protection and the fact that the Government are giving it over a week before enforcing it (not forgetting the months and months it has taken for them to actually reach this decision) speaks volumes.

Suggesting that they can be made from T-shirts and other clothes is a bit ridiculous as well - maybe I'd prefer to keep my t-shirts as t-shirts :lol: If you want to force people into wearing coverings, then you should be supplying them (free of charge) as well
 

SuperNova

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Wonder how many people will suddenly claim to have asthma.

This new law will have more holes in it than a surgical face mask!

This, like many of the things this government has done, is wholly reliant on compliance and bar BTP patrols - it is not really enforceable. Also, from my knowledge, it seems that TOC's were blind sighted although there was a feeling this along with some easing of social distancing may be coming.
 

Qwerty133

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Millions, are you serious! If it meant that the holder of the letter could travel for free they wouldn't have any problems getting one. :)
Yes millions. According to Asthma UK (https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/media/facts-and-statistics/) there are over 5 million people being treated for asthma in the UK and asthma is not the only condition that will make wearing a mask impossible. Clearly GPs are not going to be able to produce anything like enough letters within 10 days.
 
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