By Peter Moor
Stormont ministers are to meet today to discuss proposals to make face coverings mandatory on public transport in Northern Ireland.
The move to make them compulsory has been championed by Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon.
The Minister has previously suggested that the changes to rules surrounding face coverings could take effect from Friday 3rd July.
Back on 8th May, Ms Mallon said "that the public should consider the use of face coverings" on public transport here.
Nichola Mallon
However, their use still remains advisory rather than mandatory.
Face coverings have been compulsory on public transport in England since 15th June with Scotland following suit on 22nd June.
The changes to the Scottish rules last week meant that only passengers travelling with face coverings were able to travel on coach routes from Belfast to Scotland.
The Republic of Ireland has moved to make face coverings compulsory from today.
Alongside this change, face coverings are now mandatory on cross border bus services here.
#GLE Translink Cross Border bus services users be advised that face coverings will be mandatory on cross border bus services between NI and ROI from Monday 29th June. Please find out more information here - https://t.co/EEgCu277By ^CS https://t.co/oGbGGYrYDu
— Translink (@Translink_NI) June 28, 2020
As is the case in Northern Ireland, wearing a face covering in the Republic of Ireland in crowded situations such as public transport was already being strongly recommended.
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority there, said people are being asked to do the right thing and exercise their personal responsibility.
She said: "This is an important part of efforts to build confidence in public transport as more people return to work over the coming weeks and months.
"At this stage, our focus and that of the operators is on education, awareness and giving our customers every encouragement to wear a face covering."
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