A SHIPLEY ward councillor has called on the Government to make the wearing of masks on public transport compulsory again, amid fears over rising Covid cases.

Kevin Warnes, of the Green Party, argued that many have a “misconception” that we are “out of the woods” when it comes to the pandemic, and believes that it should be mandatory to wear masks on trains and buses again in order to protect people’s safety.

Cllr Warnes said he felt “at risk and exposed” on a recent commute to Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College in Leeds - where he teaches politics and history - as “half of the people” on his train were not wearing masks.

He added that it would “make perfect sense” for the Government to re-introduce rules on face coverings on public transport and to “properly enforce them” from now until “at least Christmas”.

“On my daily commute, I'd say about half of the passengers don't wear a mask, and it's mainly younger passengers”, Cllr Warnes said.

“It is clear that many are simply not bothering to wear masks, and are putting their own health and the health of others at risk.

“I understand we are re-opening the economy, schools are opening and I’m back teaching as normal and doing my daily commute - which is fine, it has to happen.

“But I think everyone should wear a mask on public transport. It’s only a small inconvenience, and most journeys are fairly short.

"I'm double-vaxxed, but I could still get Covid and pass it on to elderly relatives, could still get ill and could still be hospitalised.

“Case numbers are already going up, and they will go up even more if we don’t wear masks.”

Cllr Warnes added that it was “definitely not all young people, or just young people” who are not wearing masks on public transport, and also acknowledged that some people are medically exempt from wearing one.

“Last week, I had to move seats from a man, who was probably about 60, as he wasn’t wearing a mask, so it is older passengers too”, he said.

“But I don’t challenge someone who isn’t wearing one, as I know people can be exempt - and it’s not my job to challenge people.

“But I think these passengers are making poor decisions, and train companies should make it a requirement that everyone should wear a mask, unless they are exempt.

"I think operators like Northern should do the same as TFL has done in London, where it is still compulsory to wear masks.

"If the Government doesn't take the lead on this, which they should, I think rail and bus companies should follow London's example.

"I think the way this has all been handled has been a disgrace - ultimately, the Government should have extended the mandatory wearing of masks. This nonsense doesn't happen in other countries where people are more used to following the rules."

In response, a Northern spokesperson said: “The Government recommends that people still wear face coverings in areas where people are in close contact, including public transport.

“We are asking customers to be considerate of others and, if able, to continue wearing face coverings on our trains and at stations.”