Hong Kong third wave: drivers to use softly-softly approach with passengers who refuse to wear masks to tackle coronavirus
- Under new, stricter rules, all public transport passengers must wear masks, with offenders facing a fine of up to HK$5,000
- According to transport groups and unions, drivers are advised to first give passengers a friendly reminder if they are not wearing masks before involving police
Authorities are growing increasingly worried about the number of untraceable Covid-19 infections – 54 of 182 local cases recorded since July 6 are of unknown origin.
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Hong Kong battles third wave of coronavirus infections
According to transport groups and unions, covering rail operator the MTR Corporation, taxis, minibuses and public buses, drivers are advised to first give passengers a friendly reminder if they are not wearing masks.
The groups all welcomed the new regulation, saying it would make it easier for drivers to require passengers to wear a mask as a preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19.
“If any passenger is found without a mask on, the bus driver will ask the passenger to wear a mask. If he/she refuses to do so, the driver will ask the passenger to get off the bus. If the passenger refuses to leave, as a last resort the driver will call police,” said Henry Hui Hon-kit, chairman of the Citybus Employees Union.
