It is already mandatory to put masks on public transport today. No, a handkerchief or scarf will not work this time

The regulations stipulate that due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the country, passengers must wear a medical, hygienic mask, visor or face shield on public transport by 6 November next month, but not a scarf, shawl or similar covers.

How will it be monitored

Public transport controllers, conductors and bus drivers will have the right to disembark or refuse passengers who do not wear mouth and nose covers, the government decided on Tuesday. Over time, non-compliance could also result in an administrative penalty.

The amendments stipulate that passengers are obliged to observe the cleanliness and order in the cabin of a public transport vehicle, as well as to comply with the requirements specified in the regulations on epidemiological restrictions.

In addition, the controller and conductor will have the right to disembark a passenger who does not comply with the requirements of the regulations on epidemiological restrictions by inviting him to disembark voluntarily at the next stop or control point on an urban route. In turn, the bus driver will have the right not to pick up and disembark passengers who would not comply with the requirements specified in the regulations on epidemiological restrictions.

The Ministry of Transport explains that the regulations already stipulate that the controller may disembark a child under the age of 15 from a public transport vehicle only if the child is taken to the nearest police station. Accordingly, if a child under the age of 15 uses public transport services without complying with the requirements specified in the regulations on epidemiological restrictions, it will be possible to disembark from a public transport vehicle only for transport to the nearest police station.

In its turn, VSIA “Autotransporta direkcija” informs that the driver or train conductor of a route of regional significance will have the right to refuse boarding or request disembarkation if the passenger is without a face shield. In case of conflict, the driver or conductor will be able to call the police.

“In addition, the Road Transport Directorate calls for the maximum distance to be observed on buses and trains, if possible, to take seats alternately (occupying every second seat), as well as to buy a ticket online, at the bus station or on the bus without using cash payments. Passengers are also encouraged to be responsible and to comply with the established security measures, so that there is no need to introduce additional restrictions, ”says the representative of the directorate Lilita Pelčere.

Who can not wear a mask?

The face mask may not be used by children under the age of 13 (from the age of 13 the mask must be used), as it is important to wear the mask properly. Also, a face mask may not be worn for medical reasons, such as if a person has difficulty applying the mask due to a movement disorder or if the person has a mental health problem.

What do you need to know about using the mask?

For facial charges to have an effect, they must be used properly. Hygienic cloth masks, which can also be sewn yourself, visors (face shields) or disposable medical masks, which can be purchased, for example, at a pharmacy, may be used in public transport.

• Wash or disinfect your hands before putting on and removing a face mask;
• The face mask should completely cover the face from the nose to the chin and fit the face well (the nose should not be outside the mask);
• Do not touch the face mask or face with unwashed hands;
• After using the face mask, put it in a bag, not in a pocket or bag;
• If the mask is made of fabric, wash it after each use at a temperature of at least 60 ° C;
• The disposable mask is not reused – it must be discarded by first placing it in the bag;
• If the face mask becomes wet, it must be replaced with another – clean and dry;
• The face mask should not be partially removed (eg removed from the chin or neck) and then reused;
• When removing the face mask, do not touch its front.

You can also sew yourself

You can sew a face mask yourself. The mask must be made of dense fabric combinations and contain at least two layers. The mask should fit snugly on the face, with bandages behind the ears or tied around the head. At the same time, the mask must be such that it allows free breathing, is easy to use and fits well on the face, and does not need to be adjusted from time to time by touching with your hands. The mask must be easy to wash so that it can be reused.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that the face mask is not a substitute for the main preventive and hygienic measures. “When using public transport, keep the distance from other passengers as much as possible, do not touch your face with dirty hands, as well as wash or disinfect your hands thoroughly after the trip. At the same time, please evaluate the need for travel We also recommend not to use public transport for short trips, “says the ministry.

Download Stop Covid

“We also encourage people who have not yet done so to download and use the Stop Covid application, which will make it easier to determine if a person has been in contact with someone who has had the disease. In this way, you will both help epidemiologists in their work and be able to take timely measures to protect your family members, friends, colleagues and other people around you, “said representatives of the Ministry of Health.

Perevoshchikov government at the meeting explains how masks can help

Commenting on the effectiveness of masks, Yuri Perevoshchikov, director of the Infectious Diseases Risk Analysis and Prevention Department of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), said at a government meeting that distance is the most effective way to limit the spread of the disease. the mask is considered an additional barrier to use when we cannot be sure that the distance is observed.

Perevoshchikov pointed out that we see: Covid-19 infection once again proved how rapidly the situation can change, as the incidence has increased eightfold in the last two weeks. The specialist emphasized that in the past we could not use masks because the risk of getting an infection in the community was negligible, the incidence was negligible and the probability of someone being infected on public transport was negligible, but the situation has changed.

He explained that the use of masks only on public transport is recommended because in other public places we can control the situation ourselves and keep a distance of two meters, do not go where a large number of people congregate, but we can not go on our trolleybus or hope that there will be few people. He also pointed out that in winter, transport ventilation is not as good as in summer, when a window or door could be left open. “The mask is respect for other people, not passing on to other people what we exhale,” he said.

The specialist said: “If only a few passengers use the mask, the effect will not be so good if everyone uses the mask. If everyone wears a mask, the chances of the virus spreading are much, much lower, especially in such narrow spaces where people are long enough to become infected. ”