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Andy Burnham says people should continue wearing face masks on public transport after July 19th
He thinks lifting restrictions next week could be detrimental to those living with disabilities and illnesses across the region
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has once again urged people across the region to continue wearing their face masks after restrictions are lifted next week on July 19th.
Speaking to ITV News yesterday, the mayor reiterated his thoughts on the matter by reminding people that, despite the virus not being deadly for the majority of people, it can still have devastating consequences for those living with illnesses and disabilities.
He said: “Public opinion is very squarely behind people continuing to wear masks – on public transport, particularly – but also possibly in essential retail.
ITV News
“We will be strongly encouraging people to wear face coverings because, you know, it’s not all about your own choice.
“People have been getting in touch with me saying, ‘I want to get rid of it, it’s my choice’, but the bottom line is, if you’re standing next to somebody on a bus, who’s got to get the bus and are on the way to have their chemo or dialysis, you’ve got to put yourself in their shoes.”
This comes just one week after Burnham announced that he would be ‘making real efforts’ with Transport for Greater Manchester to ’emphasise why people should do the respectful thing and continue to carry their mask with them.’
He went on to stress that this isn’t a matter of ‘individual freedom’, but a matter of thinking about those who could be seriously compromised if they were to catch the virus.
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On July 19th, the remaining Covid restrictions – such as the use of face masks and the one metre social distancing rule – will be lifted and made voluntary.
However, with over 500,000 people living with existing illnesses and disabilities across Greater Manchester, many believe that fully lifting all restrictions could pose a serious threat.
Meanwhile, over 120 scientists and doctors have signed a letter in The Lancet accusing the government of conducting a ‘dangerous and unethical experiment’ and urging it to rethink the move to abandon all curbs next week.