As you will have heard in Minister Chris Hipkins update today, masks will be compulsory on public transport from 31 August.

We have received clarification from the MoE today regarding face coverings. The following is an excerpt from their communication that we hope you find useful:

As we know from Monday 31 August face coverings will be compulsory on public transport and Minister Hipkin’s outlined more detail on the use of face coverings on this today.

They don’t need to be worn:

• By children under 12
• On school buses
• On charter or group tours
• On interisland ferries

In addition, face coverings do not need to be worn by:

• Passengers of small passenger vehicles, such as taxis and Uber, but drivers will be required to wear masks.
• People with a disability or physical or mental health condition that makes covering their face unsuitable do not have to wear face coverings also.

There will be other times when it is not required – such as in an emergency, if unsafe, if people need to prove their identity or to communicate with someone who is deaf, or if required by law.

You can find more detail here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/use-face-coverings-public-transport-outlined