- Title: Masks to remain mandatory on London transport after national rule easing
- Date: 14th July 2021
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 14, 2021) (REUTERS) UNDERGROUND SIGN PEOPLE COMING OUT OF UNDERGROUND VARIOUS OF BUSES ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) 18 YEAR OLD STUDENT, MARNEY DAVIES, SAYING: "I think it's probably the best thing to do but yeah I think like the underground and everything everyone is in such close proximity I think it's probably the best thing to do." (SOUNDBITE) (English) 18 YEAR OLD STUDENT, JAMIE GLAISHER, SAYING: "The government has the access to the most information, I mean they are the ones that have, I know they are politically driven but so is Sadik Khan and if they give a direction they have the most access to where that direction should be that he should probably follow. But then personally masks on the underground doesn't really matter I think if the government did give the directive and then all the Mayoral systems start doing their own thing that's not particularly good for national unity." BUSES ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) 61 YEAR OLD ESTATE MANAGER, PATRICK FORD, SAYING: "I don't think it's a good idea because I would like to choose. I have a problem wearing masks, they give me panic attacks which means I have to wear this I'm more than happy if other people want to wear a mask but please give me the freedom to choose whether to or not." (SOUNDBITE) (English) 59 YEAR OLD ESTATE MANAGER, LIZ FORD, SAYING: "It should be personal choice, I understand some people feel more comfortable in masks of course that's fine but also bear in mind some people can't wear masks because of health reasons so I think it should just be personal choice really." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) 17 YEAR OLD STUDENT, JOSHUA ADAMU, SAYING: "It's a bit ridiculous if just Londoners have to wear masks, like what's stopping the other people outside? Do we have some special blood in us that gets us Covid? But yeah, ridiculous." VARIOUS OF TRAIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) 77 YEAR OLD RETIREE, MIKE REEVE, SAYING: "Absolutely agree with it absolutely 100% yes very necessary." (Journalist asking: What's your thought process behind that?) "I think people are being irresponsible, I like it it's the fact that people are acting like they're having, driving when they've had a drink, it's a danger to other people not themselves." CYCLIST TOWER BRIDGE
- Embargoed: 28th July 2021 11:56
- Keywords: COVID-19 London Mayor of London Sadiq Khan TfL Transport for London buses capital compulsory coronavirus face coverings face masks pandemic trains tubes
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001ELTCKLJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Londoners had mixed feelings on the news that Masks will remain mandatory on London's public transport network after July 19 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government plans to lift most COVID-19 restrictions from that date in England despite rising cases.
In the capital, operator Transport for London (TfL), which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan from the Labour Party, will continue to require face coverings on buses, trains and other parts of the transit system to keep down infections.
In the rest of the country the public will be expected, rather than compelled by law, to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces from next week, as rules decided upon by the Conservative administration are eased.
Whilst the government cites Britain's vaccination drive as having largely broken the link between cases and serious illness or death, some scientists and public health officials are urging greater caution amid fears daily infections could reach 100,000.
Ridership on Underground trains stands at roughly 40-45% of pre-pandemic levels whilst on buses the figure is at around 60-65%.
(Production: Natalie Thomas, Will Russell) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None