To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the reasons for any differences that exist in Coronavirus Regulations between the requirements placed on taxi drivers and the requirements placed on those collecting bus and train fares.

As regards the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020, as amended, both taxi drivers and those providing a passenger transport service (i.e. those collecting bus and train fares) are required to wear a face covering unless there is a partition between the person, or employee or driver and members of the public, or they have a “reasonable excuse” for not wearing one, as defined under the Regulations (e.g. a health reason or disability which prevents them from wearing one).

When it comes to enforcement of the requirement to wear a face covering, the Regulations grant powers to a constable, a person designated by the Department of Health, and operators of a passenger transport service and their employees and agents which would include those collecting bus and train fares but not taxis. However, while taxis are not granted enforcement powers under the Regulations, these powers exist under the current regulatory arrangements for taxi drivers whereby taxi drivers have the power to refuse to carry a passenger.

In practical terms, this means that there is no difference in the requirement on both bus and rail employees (collecting fares), and taxi drivers, as regards the wearing of face coverings under the relevant Coronavirus Regulations.