Public transportation systems in an increasing number of urban areas require passengers to wear face masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
On Saturday, all Helsinki Public Transport (HSL) passengers must wear a face mask. The only exceptions are children under the age of 12 and people who cannot wear masks due to illness. However, a certificate is not required to prove such health problems.
HSL estimates that about eight out of ten passengers had already worn masks before the new rule. It has recommended their use last August.
The mask requirement also came into force on Saturday in public transport in the city of southeastern Imatra.
Turku and Tampere follow suit, but not Oulu
On Monday, similar rules will come into force at Tampere’s Nysse and Turku Föl regional transport services. The Turku area now has the worst infection situation outside the Helsinki metropolitan area, and more than 100 new cases were reported on Saturday.
Föli operates in Turku, Kaarina, Raisio, Naantali, Lieto and Rusko, while Nysse operates in Tampere, Kangasala, Lempäälä, Nokia, Orivesi, Pirkkala, Vesilahti and Ylöjärvi.
"The coronavirus situation is now so worrying that every effort must be made to" Mayor of Tampere Lauri Lyly said Friday.
Nysse says that the cleaning of the buses has been intensified and that all the doors are always opened at every stop to ensure good ventilation. The face mandate also applies to test runs on the city’s new tramway.
Other local actors say they intend to introduce such requirements as well.
Oulu Public Transport in Northern Finland has recommended a face mask last August, but has not announced such a requirement.
On Thursday, State Railways VR has also required passengers on all trains to wear masks, except for children and those with medical reasons that prevent the use of the mask.
Source: The Nordic Page