Union warns compulsory face coverings on trains leaves staff 'seriously exposed' to abuse
Video report by ITV News Meridian's James Dunham
Transport union the RMT, says making face coverings compulsory again on public transport leaves staff "seriously exposed" to violence and abuse from passengers.
General Secretary of the RMT Union, Mick Lynch, said: "Life on the front line of Britain's transport services has got harder and more dangerous for the keyworkers who have kept the country moving during the Covid crisis.
"There is now a real risk that an already dangerous situation at the sharp end could get far worse."
Face coverings became mandatory again on public transport and shops in England on Tuesday, under measures to combat the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The return of face coverings in England is just one of several new rules to come in as of 4am on Tuesday.
Travellers returning to the UK must take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result and all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their age or vaccination status for 10 days.
The RMT Union has warned that the Government have made no arrangements to resource the enforcement of their policy.
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: "As has been the case throughout the pandemic, our officers will continue with the ‘4Es’ approach of engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce any Coronavirus legal requirements.
"We are confident that those using the railway will continue to act responsibly and play their part in protecting each other by complying with the requirement to wear face coverings not only on trains but also in stations, unless they are exempt.
"Our officers will continue to be out across the rail network supporting rail colleagues, engaging with passengers, and encouraging people to wear face coverings."
Anyone who is found not to be wearing a face covering on public transport, except those who are exempt, could be fined £200.
If a person is caught not wearing a face covering multiple times, the fine doubles up to a maximum penalty of £6,400.
The UK now has 11 confirmed cases of the variant - which was first detected in South Africa - after the Scottish government announced on Monday it had discovered four cases in Lanarkshire and two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it is expected cases will continue to rise in the coming days.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The measures taking effect today are proportionate and responsible, and will buy us time in the face of this new variant.
“Based on everything we know, our vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted.
“Not only will today’s steps help us slow down the variant’s spread, but they will help us protect each other and the gains we have all worked so hard for.”