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Nottinghamshire’s Public Health bosses said measures might be taken in the future if people refuse to wear face coverings on public transport.
Nottinghamshire Live readers have expressed concerns throughout the pandemic of people taking off their masks as soon as they get on buses or trams.
Other concerns include not wearing any face covering at all.
Fines of up to £100 can be issued by the police for those not wearing one without suitable reasons but the force has said fining people is “a last resort.”
Public Health bosses for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire said enforcement was “not something we have pursued vigorously.”
However, they said it “will be something we need to explore further” if some people continue to flout the law.
They are urging those who deem themselves as “fearless” to start acting responsibly to protect the community around them.
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Public Health director for Nottinghamshire County Council, Jonathan Gribbin said: ” Across Nottinghamshire there are some people that will feel fearful about coronavirus and there will be some who are fearless.
“I think for those who are fearful, we want to be clear all the guidance and precautions that are in place and to reassure them that if they follow them they can keep themselves, their homes, and their families safe.
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“For people who are fearless we want to emphasise the part they can play.
“They might feel it is not a threat to them as an individual but it may represent a threat to their employer, their work mates, their family. We can do the right thing by wearing face coverings.
“It is annoying, we understand that, but follow the guidance because it is the way we can help Nottinghamshire through this as a whole.
“Enforcement is not something we have pursued vigorously at the moment.
“Our approach up to this point is to persuade, encourage and urge people across Nottinghamshire to do the right thing.
“Some people might feel fearless – but to wear face coverings because it is the right thing for the people around them and safeguarding jobs and getting young people back to school.”
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When asked by Nottinghamshire Live, what needs to happen for those who are not listening to the guidance and refusing to wear face coverings, he added:
“It is something we need to explore further. We are in contact with our partner agencies on how we tackle that.
“We want to make sure that all understand the guidance and how important is is if we want to make sure the pubs stay open and schools.”
Alison Challenger, director of Public Health for Nottingham City Council, said the transport providers had been doing a good job but concerns may arise as the city gets busier in the months to come.
She said: “Transport operators are taking a responsible position on this and you can see the measures on the trams.
“As it becomes busier it will become more challenging and we are working with the transport operators.
“We will see how it goes but in the main they are doing really well.”
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