Team Lopez: As the Government continues to ease lockdown restrictions, with greater freedoms to meet socially with friends and family and shops reopening on Monday June, many constituents will be aware that, from 15 June, all passengers using public transport in England will be required to wear face coverings.

Attached at the bottom of this webpage, is a copy of a letter received from the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, in which he has advised further on this policy and the steps that his department, working with transport operators, are taking to improve safety on public transport. This includes providing additional funding so that operators can increase services and ensuring that staff are provided with the supplies required to do their jobs safely.

While there will be exemptions on the requirement to wear a face mask for young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties, passengers that do not comply with the requirement to wear a face mask can be refused travel and may face fines.

Within his letter, the Secretary of State has emphasised that face coverings are not the same as face masks and the Government is not encouraging people to buy medical grade PPE masks, as it is crucial they remain available for front-line staff. Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head and can be made at home. More information can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering.