Masks will not be legally required on public transport when Covid restrictions are eased in England.
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The government has said bus and train companies must decide whether passengers will be required to wear face coverings on their services from Monday, when Covid rules are relaxed.
Face masks have been mandatory on public transport for the last year to reduce the spread of the virus.
But those rules will be replaced with government guidance advising passengers to wear masks only on busy services.
Transport firms will be left to decide whether to enforce that advice and how.
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid said masks would still be “recommended” on public transport, but people without a face covering would no longer be fined after restrictions are eased on 19 July.
Nevertheless, bus and train companies will still be able to turn away passengers who refuse to wear one – unless they are exempt.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was “up to them” to decide whether to make face coverings compulsory for passengers.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the safest option would be to continue to legally require people to wear masks on public transport.
But announcing the changes, Boris Johnson said: “We expect and recommend that people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with those you don’t normally meet, such as on public transport.”
The Confederation of Passenger Transport – a trade group representing bus and coach companies – said passengers will find it “difficult to understand” why the prime minister has “singled out public transport as somewhere to wear a face covering when a range of other activities share its characteristics.”
The group said it wanted clear guidance for operators and customers, adding that it was important to respect everyone’s right to choose whether to wear a face covering once restrictions had eased.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, said its members would ask passengers to wear face coverings in busy indoor settings “out of respect for others”.
It said enhanced cleaning would continue after 19 July and train companies would provide better information about how busy services are.
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford confirmed masks would continue to be required on public transport and in healthcare settings “even if” the nation relaxes restrictions.
Rules regarding face coverings are due to be considered next month in Northern Ireland, while Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to make an announcement about restrictions on Tuesday.
Transport companies have been weighing up whether to mandate masks or not. If you’re flying, chances are you will still need to wear one; many airlines have decided to keep masks as a requirement for travel.
But most train, bus and coach operators in England will now decide they won’t be mandatory, following the lead set by rail and passenger groups.
Companies will still ask passengers to wear masks when services are busy. But there’s concern among many transport operators that a blanket requirement could make people think that public transport is more dangerous than other indoor settings, like restaurants and pubs. We haven’t yet heard from the London Mayor about whether masks will be required on Transport for London-run services.
Wales and Scotland both still require anyone travelling on public transport to wear a mask by law, meaning that those taking services that cross the border from England will have notices reminding them to wear a face covering unless exempt. It is the second time this has happened during the course of the pandemic.
