Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Transport
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall
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Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall Excerpts(4 years, 4 months ago)
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Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab) [V]
I have a couple of short questions for the Minister, of which I have given her notice. The first concerns children and to some extent relates to what the noble Baroness, Lady Watkins, said. What is the rationale for exempting under-11s? Under-fives I could understand. Most children under 11 do not travel alone, so Regulations 5(5) and 5(6) could and should apply. Many, if not most, children over 11 do travel alone on public transport—for example, to and from school. I also ask the Minister about Regulation 7(1)(b), under which under-18s cannot be fined. How will enforcement work for them?
How is “reasonable excuse” to be monitored? In her answer during my PNQ on 25 June, the Minister hinted at lanyards or other types of proof. Does she have any further information on this?
Finally, can she explain why private hire vehicles are excluded, particularly in view of the higher than average Covid-19 mortality rate among drivers of these vehicles?