Public Transport: Coronavirus

(asked on 26th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people who are exempt from the public transport face-covering requirement do not encounter (a) harassment or (b) difficulties when travelling.


Answered by
Chris Heaton-Harris Portrait
Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
This question was answered on 1st July 2020

We recognise that some people are not able to wear a face covering for a variety of reasons, including people with certain health conditions. We are working with transport operators and the police to understand how this is working on the ground, and reminding them of need to be sensitive.

Our Safer Transport Guidance and DFT-produced communications are clear that face coverings don’t need to be worn if disabilities make that difficult, and that people relying on this exemption should not routinely be required to produce any written evidence in support of their reliance. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers

It is important that anyone who should not be wearing a face covering is able to travel without fear of harassment. We are working closely with transport operators to make sure that their staff and passengers are aware that not everyone is required to wear a face covering.

We do not want members of the public to challenge anyone not wearing a face covering – they may have a perfectly good reason. It is a matter for operators and police

The Government remains committed to delivering inclusive transport for all passengers. As part of the work to implement the changes, we have undertaken an Equalities Impact Assessment and have taken advice from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, as well as other disability stakeholder groups.

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