ANYONE found not to be wearing a face mask while using public transport in Ireland could be fined, according to the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Anne Graham, chief-executive of the NTA told Newstalk Breakfast that members of the public would be 'encouraged' to wear face masks this week as the country enters Phase Three of lockdown restrictions.
However she insisted that as of next week, the NTA will be enforcing the new regulation of mandatory masks on buses and trains etc and will be handing out fines to those who aren't adhering to the rules.
Graham stressed that as lockdown is lifted and use of public transport gradually begins to increase, the use of face masks will become more important than ever, particularly with public transport capacities being raised to 50%.
"As restrictions ease we will see increased demand. We are still not at 100%," she said.
"We would encourage people to work form home if they can and they should consider walking or cycling to work if their commute is short."
Restaurants, pubs, hairdressers and the like reopened today, but the public are being warned that the risk of spreading Covid-19 is far from eliminated and that they shouldn't expect to return to life as normal just yet, despite the easing of restrictions.
Today marks the first major relaxation of lockdown regulations and people are being reminded that a two-metre social distancing rule is still in place.
