Uber says all passengers MUST wear face mask after July 19 Freedom Day

UBER has told passengers they must still wear a face mask after Freedom Day on Monday.

Bosses confirmed the rules will remain despite it no longer being required by law on transport or in shops when lockdown lifts.

Both drivers and passengers have been required to wear a mask during the pandemic for safety.

Ash Kebriti, UK general manager for the firm, said: "There is nothing more important than the safety of our drivers and the riders who use the Uber app.

"As cities continue to open up, we will ensure that face coverings or masks continue to be a mandatory requirement, unless exempt, when travelling with Uber across the UK."

The firm is the latest transport giant to tell passengers face masks will remain despite the rules being relaxed on Freedom Day on July 19.

MASKING THE ISSUE

People will still have to wear them on Transport for London services including the Tube, bus, tram, Docklands Light Railway, Overground and TfL Rail .

They will also remain compulsory on trams in Greater Manchester and Tyne and Wear and in bus stations operated by the combined authorities in West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

Cross-Channel train firm Eurostar, airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, plus Heathrow Airport will continue to require passengers to wear face coverings.

Heathrow Express, which operates services to London Paddington, said face coverings will remain mandatory.

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But other companies confirmed they will not make masks compulsory - including Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern.

Major bus and coach companies including National Express and Megabus have also followed suit.

The government announced masks will still be encouraged on public transport but will no longer be mandatory after Freedom Day.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, has warned that many passengers will be unsure what to do.

He said: "We know people are divided between not wanting to wear face coverings, and not wanting to travel if they aren't worn.

"The lack of consistency on rules is going to cause some uncertainty and confusion. It could also make enforcement trickier. Clear information before and during journeys will be key."

It comes amid fears restrictions are being eased too quickly as cases continue to spiral in the UK.

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said lockdown will be re-imposed if Covid hospitalisations exceed the daily peak of the first wave.

Hospitalisations across the country have seen a slight uptick with 717 recorded yesterday - the highest figure since March 2.

And Britain yesterday recorded 51,870 cases - the highest daily infection tally since January 15. 

But fatalities have remained low relative to infection rates with the vaccine acting as a buffer against hospitalisation and severe illness.