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Original poster

Masks on the tube???

45 replies

RollerGirl7 · 16/09/2021 21:13

Can someone tell me if I have to wear a mask on the tube?

Im going to London next week, I've been on trains by where I live a couple of times in the last month or two and not worn masks as it's not very crowded and I find it quite hard to breathe.

I have problems with narrow nasal pathways and struggle to breathe if anything is covering my mouth, I've literally had to be put to sleep in the past so dentist can do a filling as I can't breathe through my nose and with someone's hand in my month. That said I'm not really exempt as I can wear a mask but would just really really rather not.

Can anyone clarify the law? Is it a legal requirement? Frowned upon not to? Are most people on the tube wearing one these days?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Mariell · 16/09/2021 21:14

No one can force you to wear a mask.

Lizsmum · 16/09/2021 21:15

Most people are wearing masks but it's not compulsory

HDready · 16/09/2021 21:16

Masks are mandatory on the tube unless you are exempt.

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Excited101 · 16/09/2021 21:16

Yes, it’s still very much a rule on the london transport network

BarbaraWoodlouse · 16/09/2021 21:18

It took me 2 secs of googling to confirm that TFL require you to wear a face mask if not exempt. I’m not in London much but limited experience since July is lots of signage and majority of folk comply.

SquirmOfEels · 16/09/2021 21:20

Yes, it's part of TfL's conditions of travel

And the times of day when I'm there it is very well observed (germ soup down there at the best of times)

Nitgel · 16/09/2021 21:21

You have to wear one on the tube. Lots dont tho, cant all be exempt

HitchhikersGuide · 16/09/2021 21:24

It's a tfl request but has no legal standing really. They can try and argue its a condition of carriage but honestly no one will stop you or question you. If youre worried have one with you to put on if someone's rude enough to question you... But they won't. There are a few mask free in most carriages every where so you won't be alone, though compliance generally depends on poshness. Fewer mask free in the more posh the areas so SW London District line is very virtuous whereas try the ends of the Northern and it's all a bit more real.

piscis · 16/09/2021 21:27

It is a requirement to wear one but lots of people don't wear it. Nobody is going to ask you anything; if it was never enforced as anyone can say they are exempt, they are not going to enforce it now with the restrictions being lifted (not on the tube, but in general)
I take the tube regularly and sometimes only around half of the people wear a mask.

MakkaPakkas · 16/09/2021 21:28

Yes, mandatory and moderately well observed. It's not a law though and you won't stand out too much without one.

FizzyPink · 16/09/2021 21:29

Loads of people aren’t wearing them on the tube anymore. When I commute to work, I get on the overground and then two tubes. I would say at least 40% are not wearing masks. I bloody wish they would though!

TwigTheWonderKid · 16/09/2021 21:29

Yes they are compulsory.

gardeninggirl68 · 16/09/2021 21:30

up to you op.....wear one if you want to. nobody can (or will) enforce it

what do you want to do?

Schoolchoicesucks · 16/09/2021 21:31

Tfl require them unless you're exempt. Depending on the time of day and route between 20% and 40% of passengers don't seem to wear one. You won't stand out and no-one will check your reasons for not wearing one.

mynameiscalypso · 16/09/2021 21:33

It's required in the same way that drinking alcohol is banned. Most people comply but nobody will really care if you don't.

KaycePollard · 16/09/2021 21:34

It’s required. And you should be wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces. Everyone should.

GoGadgetGo · 16/09/2021 21:34

Any TFL transport requires the wearing of a mask.

Mama1980 · 16/09/2021 21:37

I literally just stepped off the tube. In theory it's compulsory, in practice it's not enforced, nor can it be. Plenty not wearing masks and no one said a word. If you're really not comfortable wearing one then don't - it will be fine.

stormyweather274 · 16/09/2021 21:39

I thought we could just do what we like now. I was sat in assembly with 200 people earlier, no masks, no social distancing. We have several positive cases at the school but no one seems to care.

PumpkinKlNG · 16/09/2021 21:41

Laughing at this comments! I was on the tube on Saturday and I counted about 3 people wearing masks, no one is policing it and most are not wearing them!

PumpkinKlNG · 16/09/2021 21:41

These*

queenjaneappro · 16/09/2021 21:47

I had to get the tube this week and saw 3 women putting their make up on. When they finished they put their masks on 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

PumpkinKlNG · 16/09/2021 21:50

I also don’t wear them on the bus again most people are not, This is MN so remember to take it with a pinch of salt, most people irl are not wearing them as you will see for yourself when you go

Original poster
RollerGirl7 · 16/09/2021 21:54

Thanks all. The answers are really helpful. I googled and found lots of the mayor wants it to be a criminal offence and it's the policy of tfl but I really wanted to know how/if it's happening in practice.

Will def take one with me, would rather not wear it but I'll see what happens, if I end up in a crowded carriage with lots of people wearing masks and looking anxious then I'll prob comply but not prob not if it quiet or the other ppl don't seem bothered.

OP posts:
Dollywilde · 16/09/2021 21:54

I’ve been commuting and on the northern line at 8.30 I’d say it’s about 75/25 in favour of mask wearing. I did find myself struggling to breathe the other day (early pregnancy, I’ve been getting a lot of head rushes and feeling out of puff!) and took it off, and it was fine.

I wear it if I can out of consideration, but if you can’t it’ll be okay.