Richard Chambers: Face masks now compulsory on public transport

Published: Aug. 30, 2020, 9:24 p.m.

As Auckland joins the rest of the country at alert level 2, face masks are now mandatory from anyone travelling on public transport.
While the country is at alert level 2 and higher, the Government is making it compulsory for people travelling on buses, planes, trains, ferries and even Ubers to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.
The move comes after several people became unwell from a bus journey and new research shows the benefits of people wearing face coverings.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also urged Aucklanders to wear face masks while they are out in public, though it has not yet been mandated to do so.
Police are out this morning to enforce the new rules. Police Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers was at Wellington train station, and told Mike Hosking everyone seems to be complying so far.

"What I'm seeing down here is fantastic. Everybody that I can see is doing the right thing. My colleagues are right here with me, so they will no doubt by speaking to a few people while I speak to a few others."
He doesn't think people will slack off.
"We all know that we're in for the long haul here. It's the right thing to do for our people and our country. And while Police can have conversations with people, I think peer pressure is very influential as well."