Face coverings enforcement

Man sitting on a Tube carriage wearing a face covering

We rely on customers doing the right thing to keep themselves and others safe by using face coverings, unless exempt.

Our enforcement officers continue to ensure customers wear face coverings on the network. They can refuse entry or ask someone to leave services if they are not exempt and do not comply.

The majority of customers are in favour of face coverings being required on public transport and in taxis and private hire vehicles. 👌 🚇 🚍 🚘 

Exemptions

A small number of customers are not required by law to wear face coverings. Exemptions apply for age, health and disability reasons.

Those who are exempt from wearing a face covering have the option to order a free card or badge.

Enforcement

The face covering requirement remained as a condition of travel on all TfL services after 19 July when the existing national legal requirement finished.

Enforcement officers may refuse entry or ask someone to leave services if they do not comply, and in this initial phase are educating and encouraging customers to comply and handing out face coverings across the network.

Our team of more than 400 enforcement officers patrol the transport network to ensure customers and colleagues remain safe. The team, which includes Revenue Control Inspectors, ensure compliance of coronavirus safety regulations, as well as tackling aggression, fare evasion and providing greater visibility and reassurance.

Our staff

We require staff to wear a face covering when they are in public areas on the transport network. However, they do not have to wear one when they are not in public areas. This includes driving a bus or train, in control rooms or working in maintenance areas.

On buses, we have installed a protective film and sealed gaps around the driver’s cab screen to protect our staff and customers. Because of this, our bus drivers are not required to wear face coverings when inside the driver’s cab.

Some staff members, like some customers, will be exempt from wearing them, for example, those who have trouble breathing and anyone who finds it difficult to manage them correctly.

Latest travel advice

Advice on safer travel and changes to public transport are available on our website and social media profiles.

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