Adrian Brewer – known for his involvement with Roll Out The Barrel Trust – has launched a new social media campaign.
#WiseUpMaskUp is calling on individuals to make sure they wear face coverings when they are in situations where it’s required, such as public transport or in shops.
Tweeting reminders
He has created a Twitter account WiseUpMaskUp and is calling on others to support the campaign.
In his latest tweet he points out that having travelled on an Isle of Wight ferry on Tuesday, he believed that those travelling without face coverings were not challenged by staff.
Rules on face coverings
Red Funnel’s information page on wearing face coverings acknowledges that some people will be exempt from wearing a face covering:
According to the latest government guidance, passengers with a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering will be exempt. Children under the age of 11 will also be exempt.
However, they do also say:
By law, Red Funnel must refuse travel to customers who can (but do not) wear coverings. Customers could forfeit the cost of their booking should they refuse to comply.
What the ferry companies say
News OnTheWight have written to all ferry companies for clarification of their policy to challenge passengers who do not wear face coverings (but who can).
Wightlink told News OnTheWight,
“Face coverings are now compulsory on public transport except for people with exemptions.
“Wightlink staff will remind customers who are not wearing face coverings on board about the regulations.
“Passengers boarding Wightlink ferries are reminded to wear face coverings and are not permitted to travel if they refuse to wear one.
“They can take off their face coverings while eating and drinking.”
A spokesperson for Hovertravel told News OnTheWight,
“Hovertravel is following the Government regulations regarding the wearing of face coverings. Our staff engage with customers, explain the rules and encourage people to wear face coverings.
“Our Website, social media, customer communications and on-site signage all state face coverings must be worn.
“Our teams are also aware that there are exemptions from face coverings and welcome the use of the sunflower lanyards to signal a customer has an exemption.
“If enforcement is required Hovertravel will contact the police, as one of our pilots did earlier this year.”
You can read each cross-Solent companies FAQs on face coverings below:
Article edit
2.15pm 18th Nov 2020 – Wightlink response added
9.10am 19th Nov 2020 – Hovertravel response added
Image: Charles Deluvio under CC BY 2.0
