Dropping face mask rules would be gross negligence, says Unite union

Public transport workers will face even more risk of infection if face mask rules are dropped, the Unite union has said.

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm later that the majority of Covid restrictions in England will be lifted from 19 July.

These could include making face mask wearing voluntary and the end of 1m-plus social distancing.

But the union said mask-wearing on public transport should be compulsory.

A Unite spokesman said there had been a high level of Covid deaths among bus drivers even with mandatory face mask wearing.

“To end the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be an act of gross negligence by the government,” said Unite national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton.

“Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions, it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport.

“The idea of personal responsibility and hoping that people will wear masks is absolutely ridiculous, members are already reporting there is an increase in passengers ignoring the rules on mask wearing.”

There is expected to be a rise in coronavirus infections when restrictions are eased, but the government hopes that vaccinations will limit hospitalisations and deaths.

The lifting of Covid restrictions was originally planned to be on 21 June, but this was pushed back to 19 July after a rise in infections driven by the Delta variant.

Restrictions that are currently in place in England include the “rule of six” for gatherings, pubs and restaurants having to have table service, limits on how many people can be in theatres and cinemas, and nightclubs being closed.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own coronavirus rules, and the Scottish government has said it could keep some basic measures, including wearing masks, at its next review in August.

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