RAIL unions warned today that transport staff could face abuse and assaults at work due to “confused and inconsistent messaging” over mask-wearing on public transport. 

RMT said that while it welcomed London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to retain requirements for passengers to wear masks in the capital, without legal enforcements rail workers risked being attacked.

Passengers in Wales, Scotland and on the Eurostar will also still have to wear masks, creating a “ludicrous position” where people will be subjected to different rules while travelling through other regions, the union warned. 

“As a result of this chaotic approach we now have a situation where the London measures are not enforceable by law which means RMT members will be thrown into a hostile and confrontational situation from next Monday at heightened risk of abuse and assault,” RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said. 

“That is wholly down to the confused, inconsistent and botched messaging from the government.”

RMT’s concerns were echoed by train drivers’ union Aslef, which argued that without legal enforcement there will “still be lots of potential for disputes and disruption.”

In defiance of government plans to lift mandatory mask rules from July 19, Mr Khan announced today that Londoners will still be required to wear face coverings on public transport. 

The London mayor said that he was not prepared to “stand by” and put Londoners at risk while ministers “aren’t willing to do what’s right.

“This is why, after careful consideration, I have decided to ask TfL to retain the requirement for passengers to wear a face covering on all TfL services under its conditions of carriage from July 19 when the national regulations change,” he said. 
 
He added that by keeping masks mandatory, “heroic” transport workers would stay protected and those who may be vulnerable and rely on the network to get around the capital. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed today that Mr Khan’s decision was “in line” with government policy, despite PM Boris Johnson announcing on Monday that wearing masks on public transport will no longer be a legal requirement from next week. 

The decision to lift all remaining restrictions in England on July 19 has been widely condemned, with doctors warning that it could result in “devastating consequences” as Covid-19 cases surge across the country.