Face masks required: Isle of Wight public transport providers reveal details

The news follows an announcement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday.

Read more: Face coverings to be mandatory on public transport

A ‘face covering’ is not the same as surgical masks, which are reserved for medical workers. 

They should cover your mouth and nose, while allowing you to breathe comfortably.

Scroll down to find out what each of the Isle of Wight's transport operators have to say...

Hovertravel

Passengers using Hovertravel will be required to provide and wear face coverings for their entire journey including:

• When entering and whilst in Hovertravel’s terminals at Southsea and Ryde,
• During boarding and disembarking the hovercraft,
• While on the hovercraft for the entire journey,
• On the hoverpads at Ryde and Southsea,
  
  Hovertravel says passengers who do not wear face coverings will be refused travel.

Exemptions to the rule include young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.

There will be more signs and information on its website.

Red Funnel

Red Funnel is asking its passengers to wear face coverings on its services, with immediate effect, ahead of the new legal requirement on 15 June.

The ferry firm said, "When the new law comes into effect, all public transport operators, including Red Funnel, will find themselves in a position to have to refuse travel for any passengers not wearing a face covering."

Exclusions are permitted for children aged under the age of two, or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. Those with respiratory conditions, disabilities or breathing difficulties are also exempt.

Fran Collins, CEO, Red Funnel said: “The safety of our passengers and staff remains our top priority and we have taken on board the advice that face coverings offer some protection against the spread of the virus, especially as more people start to use public transport, including our ferries.

"As the new rule comes into effect from 15 June, we feel it’s important for our passengers to get used to this change now in the hope that once enforcement comes into effect, it will be a normal routine. On top of this, we continue to urge our customers to follow government guidelines on social distancing and refrain from using public transportation, including our ferries, unless for essential reasons only.”

Wightlink

Wightlink will be asking all customers to provide and wear a face covering in its terminals and when travelling on its ferries, unless they are staying inside their vehicles.

Wightlink’s Chief Executive, Keith Greenfield, said: “The government has announced that all public transport users should wear face coverings from 15 June. Wightlink will require customers to wear face coverings whenever they are not in a vehicle on board our ferries or in one of our customer buildings. We are asking all of our customers to bring face coverings with them. Customers will be required to wear a face covering when in our lounges and on our sun decks, where we have ample space and seating for those not in a vehicle.”

Southern Vectis

Southern Vectis said: “The Government has also advised that you should wear a face covering in crowded areas - including on public transport - because evidence suggests that it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms. These can be hand made if necessary."

Island Line

Follow Government guidance on face coverings - passengers are strongly advised to wear a face covering when travelling on public transport.

Floating Bridge 

Face coverings will be compulsory for foot passengers using Cowes and East Cowes's Floating Bridge from Monday (15 June) to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The government announced last week that people must wear face coverings on public transport from next week, when non-essential shops are likely to reopen.

The rules apply to all modes of public transport, including the floating bridge.

Cllr Ian Ward, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our staff and passengers is our top priority.

"We must take every precaution as passenger numbers on the floating bridge increase and as shops begin to reopen and more people start returning to work."

Foot passengers will be required to wear a face covering whether they are inside the passenger lounge or in the external upstairs area.

Vehicle drivers and passengers do not need to wear them, providing they stay in their vehicles with the windows closed.

Measures, similar to those installed in Newport town centre, will shortly be put in place in Medina Road, Cowes, and Castle Street, East Cowes, to help passengers adhere to social distancing guidelines.