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Studies into coughs and flu have proven a medical mask can help prevent the spread of infection from one person to another. However, the World Health Organisation has stressed that there is no evidence to suggest a healthy person wearing a face covering can prevent them from catching respiratory viral infections, such as COVID-19. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) added the evidence of masks preventing the spread of infection between people was “marginal but positive”.

When will it be mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport?

The Government announced today, June 4, people in England must wear face coverings or masks when using public transport.

The new rule comes into effect on June 15 – the day non-essential businesses in England reopen to the public.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Downing Street press briefing the public transport network was facing “increasing challenges” as more people return to work and school.

Mr Shapps said: “We are doing what many other countries have asked transport users to do. The evidence is that wearing face coverings offers some, albeit limited protection.”

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He stressed people should only use public transport when they absolutely have to, and encouraged people to walk or cycle where possible.

Mr Shapps outlined in the press conference exactly what people would need to get on public transport.

He said: “That doesn’t mean surgical masks, which we must keep for clinical settings. It means the kind of face covering you can easily make at home.

“There will be exemptions to these rules for very young children, for disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.”

Mr Shapps explained that staff who come into contact with passengers will also be required to cover their faces.

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He said: “Of course frontline staff, those in contact with passengers, doing such an important job at this crucial time will also need to wear face coverings.

“In the coming days the Government will work with the unions, who have been supportive, for which I’m very grateful, transport operators and the police to ensure that they have the supplies they need to be safe and to provide reassurance to the public.

“These measures apply in England but we are working with the devolved administrations ahead of implementation.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m pleased that our lobbying has finally paid off and the Government has finally seen sense and made it mandatory for people to wear face coverings on public transport.

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“This is something I, and others, have been calling on ministers to do for some time, and is in line with a large body of evidence that they can help stop the spread of coronavirus.”

Mr Khan also warned that even with masks, Transport for London (TfL) would not able to ramp up tube services.

He added: “TfL continues to work hard to maximise services despite staff being ill, shielding or self-isolating.

“The reality is that due to social distancing, the effective capacity of public transport services has been dramatically reduced.

“We can only carry between 13 to 15 percent of passengers. We must all play our part by working from home if we can and making journeys on foot or by bike, if at all possible, in order to keep the services safe for those who really need it.”

What do experts think about using face coverings?

Generally, experts seem to be in agreement a face covering can stop a carrier from spreading the infection through droplets.

Professor of primary care at Oxford University, Tish Greenhalgh said: “Cloth face coverings are highly effective at blocking droplets coming out of the mouth and nose.

“They’re not perfect, but if you can stop 90 or 95 percent of the droplets this will cause a dramatic reduction in the number of people who catch the virus.

“Face coverings, which can be made out of a double layer of cloth, are a crucially important measure for bringing the country out of lockdown.”

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