COVID: Facemasks no longer obligatory on TFL services and Tube

After Boris Johnson’s decision to end all ‘legal covid restrictions’ from tomorrow, Thursday, 24 February, it has been decided that face coverings will no longer be required on Transport for London (TFL) services or on the underground.

New rules for public transport

Starting from February 24, face coverings will only be ‘strongly recommended’ while travelling on TFL services and the underground. TFL has said it ‘considered a variety of factors,’ including the Prime Minister’s decision to scrap all COVID restrictions, as well as the decreasing COVID rates in London.

Following its decision, TFL has said the extensive cleaning regime that was introduced due to COVID-19 will remain in place. Trains, trams, buses and stations are cleaned with hospital-grade cleaning substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact.

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Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision

Last month, Boris Johnson said that facemasks were no longer a legal requirement on public transport, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, decided he would keep that rule to ensure people’s safety on London’s transport services. However, he has now followed Johnson’s decision on face coverings no longer being mandatory, simply recommended.

Following Johnson’s latest decision, Sadiq Khan said:

We know that face coverings remain a simple, effective measure that give Londoners confidence to travel ... I urge passengers to be considerate of their fellow Londoners and continue to wear a face covering where appropriate unless exempt.