Question reference: S6W-05153
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 15 December 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 5 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to encourage bus passengers to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt.
Answer
Transport Scotland has produced extensive guidance on travelling safely for all forms of transport since the start of the pandemic and this is available via the following web links (for operators and passengers respectively).
https://www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/guidance-for-transport-operators/
https://www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-on-how-to-travel-safely/
Transport Scotland has also worked closely with operators across all modes to help reinforce the messaging to transport users and staff.
Enforcement of the law remains the responsibility of Police Scotland and the British Transport Police. Officers can issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone 18 or over if they have reason to believe an offence has been committed. Throughout the pandemic, Police Scotland officers have continued to use the “4Es” approach (to engage, explain, encourage and only enforce as a last resort to protect public health).