Play all audios:
Sadiq Khan has called for non-mask wearers to face criminal charges, saying he wants to see police on the tube enforcing the use of face masks. It came after a drop in COVID-19 cases for the
fifth day in a row on Tuesday. He spoke on BBC Newcast: “Well firstly, it's really important to remind listeners that actually, the evidence is that facemasks do make a difference both
from the World Health Organization, our own scientific advisory group but also things like America's Center for Disease Control. “It helps the prevention of disease, but it also can
stop you from catching the virus as well. “Before the government eased restrictions in the latest phase of the roadmap, I lobbied the government to keep the current rules, which was a
national legislation, a national requirement, which meant if you didn't wear a face mask we could use the police service but also British Transport Police, as well as TfL’s own
enforcement officers to make sure you wore a face mask.” Read more: Holidays are back on! Grant Shapps announces no changes to rules in next three weeks He continued: “And that led to over
the last 12 months more than 212,000 people being spoken to, thousands of fixed penalty notices and roughly speaking, 86% of people using public transport in London following the rules. “And
by the way, those that won’t, two thirds of those had a good reason not to wear a face mask." Since July 19, face coverings are no longer legally required in England. Infection cases
dropped by around 40%, and deaths and hospitalizations have stayed low despite the ending of all restrictions. Face coverings worn over the nose and mouth reduce the spread of Covid-19
droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. Also, some new virus variants appear more transmissible. Currently, the TFL requires travellers to wear a covering as a ‘condition of carriage’.
It means that staff can tell passengers who disobey to get off the train or bus, but they cannot issue fine.