FROM Monday, July 19 compulsory lockdown restrictions are set to go as mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing is scrapped.

As a result, people will no longer have a legal requirement, unless exempt, to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces - including transport.

However, the official Government guidance states it still does “expect” and “recommend” people wear a face-covering in crowded or enclosed spaces.

Transport companies across the company are set to introduce their own policy and regulations as of next week.

Here’s what we know about the operators for buses, trains, taxis and planes in the Bournemouth area.

Buses

Yellow buses were awaiting direction from the Department for Transport and Confederation of Passenger Transport at the time they were approached for a comment.

However, commercial director Simon Newport did say they wanted to remain in line with other local transport networks.

He told the Echo: “What we do not want to do is do something different to other operators in the area. We want it to be consistent to try and give some clarity in a very complicated situation.”

Fellow bus operator Morebus have confirmed that while masks won’t be mandatory it is advisable passengers wear one still.

More Bus managing director Andrew Wickham in a statement to the Echo said: “We understand that this is a decision for each individual to make, but we urge our customers to consider others when travelling with us, and we strongly advise that they wear a face covering.

“All onboard seating will be available from Monday 19 July meaning, for most journeys, there will be plenty of space for customers to keep their distance from others.”

Trains

South Western Railway and Cross Country are the predominant train operators on the Bournemouth tracks.

When approached for comment both operators stated they would be following industry guidance and working with the rest of the industry through the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

In a statement provided to the Echo, the British railway industry membership body says they expect passengers to follow the guidance.

An RDG spokesperson said: “Train companies will expect people to follow government guidance and out of respect for others, wear a face-covering in busy indoor settings.

“With good ventilation systems on trains, extra cleaning and better information about quieter times, all our passengers can continue to travel with confidence.”

Taxis

Taxi operator PRC streamline confirmed to the Echo that the decision will be very much up to the passenger's discretion and if they want the driver to wear one then they will.

Mobile Radio Cars in a statement to the Echo said that the taxi provider had received an “email from the town hall requesting that all taxi drivers carry on wearing a mask until we are told otherwise by the licencing board.”

Although they did not comment specifically on the passengers following government guidance it would come down to the public's decision as to whether they wear a covering or not.

United Taxis confirmed the council have asked them to carry on until the end of the school year with wearing face-coverings regardless and will encourage passengers to do so.

Director of United Taxis, Bruno Silva, told the Echo: "Taxi drivers are self-employed therefore all we will do is recommend every driver to have a mask in the car and have it on when passengers are on board.

"We must continue united against Covid-19. We can only urge the same from passengers to have a mask on and help towards prevention. We will continue to remind our drivers to keep sanitising their cars as they have been until now."

Planes

A number of airlines operate out of Bournemouth Airport with a variety of internal flights and an ever-increasing amount of international flights as restrictions ease.

TUI, Easyjet and Ryanair are the prominent airlines taking to the skies and their policies state that wearing masks will be mandatory on their flights.

The flight information on TUI’s website states all passengers aged six and over must wear a face mask, even if the passenger is sleeping.

Passengers who have been vaccinated twice will also have to wear a mask.

Those who are exempt do not have to wear a mask but must download a government exemption card to prove so.

Ryanair states it is mandatory to wear a face-covering onboard and it will be mandatory for cabin crew to do so too, much like fellow airline Easyjet

They state online, much like TUI, it will be mandatory for anyone over six to wear a mask on the flight as well as boarding and while at the gate.

More information can be found on the respective airlines’ websites.