The only reasons why you don’t have to wear a face covering on public transport

Passengers must wear a mask or other face covering which covers their mouth and nose when travelling on all forms of public transport, including buses, coaches, trains, trams and planes.

Anyone not wearing one could be fined £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days, under the new measures introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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Passengers should remove the covering if asked to do so by a police officer or other official.

They are advised to wash or sanitise their hands before and after touching the covering and for longer journeys to take more than one face covering and plastic bags to store them in.

Children under the age of 11 are not required to wear a face covering, and the Government says they should not be used by those under three for safety reasons.

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There are a number of other exemptions, where it is acceptable not to don a face covering or to remove one you are wearing, which include:

If you are not able to put it on, wear it or remove it due to a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

If putting on, wearing or removing it would cause you ‘severe distress’

If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate

To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others

To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you

To eat or drink, but only if you need to

To take medication

If a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

Passengers should also wear a face covering in other enclosed spaces where it is difficult to maintain the recommended two-metre social distancing, such as stations, interchanges, ports, airports and taxis. Taxi drivers may be entitled to refuse to serve you if you are not wearing a face covering.

The Government also states that some transport workers may not wear a face covering if it is not required for their job.