Mask and you shall receive

So far there have been no reported incidents of passengers refusing to wear facemasks on buses in Cork.

This follows the introduction of new regulations on Monday for the mandatory wearing of facemasks at all times for users of public transport.

Under the new regulations, if a passenger fails to comply with any request by a person of authority, they may face arrest or a court summons, unless a legitimate reason exists.

However the new regulations, which were signed into law by the new minister for health, Fianna Fáil’s Stephen Donnelly, have caused significant confusion for gardaí who say they have not been given a clear explanation of how to police the new regulations.

According to a Garda statement released yesterday, if a passenger, without reasonable excuse, refuses to comply with the regulations, members of An Garda Síochána may be called to assist.

However, the gardaí do not possess the authority to issue fines.

The statement also said that in the case of a breach of regulations, a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for direction as to how to proceed.

It is then up to a judge of the district court to decide on any actual penalty imposed following a conviction.

Bus Éireann have said that the wearing of face coverings has been mandatory on all of its services since 29 June.

A statement released by Bus Éireann read: “Across our network, compliance rates have been very high, and since Monday, they have increased to 100 per cent compliance in Cork city. We would like to thank our passengers for their cooperation.”

Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, Eamon Ryan also thanked the public for its high levels of compliance and for “taking this campaign to heart”.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin who said in a tweet that he is “greatly encouraged” by the widespread compliance with the new law.

“I understand the debate on how to police it with reluctant minority, but my personal experience tells me that vast majority will embrace this law and do what they are asked,” the Taoiseach said.

Chime, a Dublin based support service for the deaf, welcomed the new regulations but said that it could pose significant communication barriers for people who rely on lip reading.

The charity has written to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), asking them to consider face shields as an acceptable face covering for use by the public, due to challenges caused by facemasks for their members.