Passengers using public transport must wear a face covering from today (13 July) under regulations signed on Friday by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

Under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020, drivers or National Transport Authority employees can ask passengers to wear a face covering, or refuse them entry if they are not wearing one.

Sentence

Passengers without face coverings can also be asked to leave a vehicle. Those refusing to comply face a jail sentence of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of €2,500.

Unions representing public transport workers have expressed concern about how the measures will be enforced, with the NBRU union saying its members would not be policing them.

Enforcing

The general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors told RTÉ this morning it was "quite clear" that enforcing the rules would rest with the public transport operators and not with gardaí.

Antoinette Cunningham said gardaí would be called to assist only when all steps required by the regulations had failed.

Exemptions

There are exemptions for people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress.

People can also remove face coverings to take medication and to provide assistance to a vulnerable person. The rules do not apply to children under the age of 13.

National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Graham said face coverings would make journeys safer for passengers and for workers.

“This regulation will increase people’s confidence in public transport and encourage more people back on to our buses, trams and trains,” she said.