Red Funnel say that they will refuse travel for passengers who turn up without a face covering when the law changes on 15th June.
In line with the latest government advice, Red Funnel is asking its passengers to wear face coverings on its services with immediate effect, although the law hasn’t changed just yet.
Grant Shapps yesterday (Thursday) announced that the Department for Transport will be making face coverings mandatory on public transport as of Monday 15th June. Red Funnel welcomes this move and hopes that passengers will start to adopt best practice right away.
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.
As defined in the latest advice, the rule applies to all passengers with a few exceptions. Exclusions are permitted for children under the age of two or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions. There will also be exceptions for people with disabilities or breathing difficulties.
The government has also clarified that ‘face coverings’ are not the same as surgical masks, stating:
“A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings.”
Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably and can easily be made from home. Full instructions are available online, here: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering.
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.”
Good. And both Red Funnel and Wightlink should ask passengers their reason for travelling to the Island and if the reason is superficial then refuse. I bet they will not because it’s all down to revenue. There are so many motor home’s and caravanettes on the island, you cannot tell me that they all belong to those who live here and taking their vehicles for a spin, so where are they staying overnight. I am sick of the media saying ‘when can we go on holiday’ and ‘when are the pubs opening’ and ‘when is football starting again’ Err…..after the number of infections are down to single numbers. Interesting to see how our MP reacts on my ‘rant’. Probably not…..
AMA If you bothered to do some research before posting your ill informed comments you would know that the ferry companies are not accepting any online bookings for recreational vehicles. You have to phone up and explain why you need to travel with a motor home or caravan. If you asked the owner of a motor home why they are using their vehicle I expect they would probably say it is because they have a toilet on board which is far better than going in the street while most public toilets are closed. I presume you also didn’t see the report about the council investigating all the reports of people staying in holiday accommodation. They found that none of them were true, they were all key workers or homeless people placed by the council. However if you want to encourage the idiots that slashed the tyres on a nurses car who was staying in holiday accommodation please keep posting.
To IE Reader, I have done some research, I have seen motor homes coming off the ferry over the last few weeks, cars with top boxes full of stuff to stay in there 2nd holiday homes. As for the council checking holiday accommodation and/or caravan sites, then why were there 11 cars parked up outside caravans at Lower Hyde, 2 weeks ago, and inside each caravan there were more than 2 people openly and obviously breaking the in place lockdown restrictions. If you believe what the council says then you are either, A) working for the council, 2) working for the tourist board or, 3) Stupid.
Homeless people don’t have cars, and if they were key workers, why were there 4 or 5 people per caravan, no social distancing at all. I certainly don’t condone either slashing tyres, that is not good.
They only reason the ferries should be running is for, freight, NHS, essential workers, not private cars or bloody motor homes.
We have been out in our motorhome, firstly for a change of scene and secondly to give it a run out .We went to a popular beauty spot ,there were both camper Vans and walkers, kite flyers etc , all socially distanced .I recognised all of those Vans all of them were island people who go there regularly. I dont doubt there are a few people about on holiday but it is mostly people using something they paid a lot of money for .We didnt use it until restrictions were part lifted to allow more activities.My vehicle is not island registered, it doesn’t make me a tourist, maybe just because there isnt a dealer on the island.
But surely this would not apply if dozens of passengers simply didn’t wear masks said that black lives matter? Then any number of people can do exactly what they want so lets not assume one rule covers all.
WHAT! I am talking about visitors to the Island. Errr … Not yet. Why are you saying black lives matter. This is absolutely nothing to do with ethnicity, and or racism, sexism, homophobia. This is just protecting the lives of those on the Island
How dare you turn this into a political correct argument. Moron.
I am not sure whether you are are accusing me of being any of those persons I have said above because I can assure I am NOT. Because I am one of those categories mentioned..
Wearing a face covering to board fine my old granny always said carry a spare pair of pants it makes sense now
Ermmmm its already on the Island? Should of done this from the start surely? Another pointless gesture and waste of time…….again to little to late, typical government bs?!!! We need a bridge end of.
Well done Fran Collins. This government is a joke. Why not make wearing a face covering law NOW, why wait until June 15th? COVID won’t wait will it? We will see a mass pouring of holiday makers soon then watch the number of infections rise! I truly hope I’m wrong!
This is not clear. Does it apply to travellers that remain in their car for the crossing ? Why would they need to wear a mask. Preventing pasengers from travelling if they don’t have a mask is harsh! RF should provide free masks for those that don’t have one.
Wearing face masks in the public areas on a ferry is fair enough but if passengers are being made to stay in their cars on the crossing it only causes needless discomfort for no benefit.
Unfortunately it’s a case of having to apply a poorly written law even when it makes no sense.
There should be some scope for flexibility otherwise a sensible precaution will lose its meaning.
What a load of shit!
There all muppets Bob and then one to go on about black lives fuck they dont matter lol look after are own ffs
Are you saying black lives dont matter???
Should there be any non essential passengers even. Oh yea 2nd homeowners and our one and only sausage Seely. Is Dominic Cummings on his way too.
And you can buy them when on board…… just £8.99
there’s a lot more coming
Surely this only applies to foot passengers.
Those staying in their vehicles are sufficiently isolated.
This city centric legislation is obviously geared at enclosed public transport, buses, underground, trains etc, presumably also taxis and doesn’t warrant the sort of ill considered knee-jerk reaction that Red Funnel obviously prefer.