Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
741. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a response will issue to the safety requests from bus and rail unions regarding the compulsory use of masks on public transport as the lockdown resulting from Covid-19 continues. [7071/20]
View answerThe Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have continued to operate during the pandemic. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has been working with all transport operators to ensure service continuity, and in this they continue to be guided by the public health advice, including in relation to enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
On Friday 15 May, in the context of announcing the first phase of re-openings under the Government's Roadmap to Re-opening Society and Business, the Taoiseach announced new public health advice arising from the considerations of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and presented in a letter from the Chief Medical Officer to the Minister for Health (and published online). The public health advice recommends that members of the public wear face coverings when they are using busy public transport or are in enclosed indoor public areas such as retail outlets. This is recommended as an additional hygiene measure. This public health advice takes the form of a recommendation; it is not mandatory.
