These are the rules on children wearing face masks on public transport - and best masks for kids

Face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of two (Photo: Shutterstock)Face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of two (Photo: Shutterstock)
Face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of two (Photo: Shutterstock)

As of 15 June, wearing face coverings on public transport in England is now mandatory by law.

The UK government has said that some form of facial protection must be worn by commuters in order to travel on public trains or buses, with people facing fines or refusal of travel if they do not comply.

But what does the guidance say about children?

Do children need to wear face masks?

Face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of two, according to government guidance.

Disabled people and those who have breathing difficulties are also exempt from wearing them.

All other children can wear a face covering, but for those who are under the age of 11, wearing a covering on public transport is not mandatory.

However, all public transport users who do not fall into these categories must comply with the rules and wear a face covering while travelling.

When should face masks be worn?

Face coverings are required to be worn at all times on public transport as of 15 June.

Government rules also state that coverings should now also be worn when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient.

It is also advised that people wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing is not possible, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

What sort of face covering should be worn?

The government has advised that scarves, or homemade cotton coverings, that cover the nose and mouth, and other bought masks that are not the same as those used by the health service are fine to wear.

Surgical masks should be kept for use by health professionals.

Officials have said that people can make a face covering at home, but added it is key to ensure it covers your nose and mouth.

How do I wear a face mask properly?

Government guidance states that a cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. This can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head.

Before putting it on, you should wash your hands or use hand sanitiser and do the same after removing it.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store any used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.

Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose.

Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched and wash the covering regularly. The covering can be washed with other laundry, using your normal detergent.

When wearing a face covering, take care to tuck away any loose ends.

Where can I buy face masks for kids?

If you are looking for a face mask for your child, there are various options available online that offer smaller sized coverings.

Thumbsie is selling masks in sizes small, medium and large, and are suitable for children aged between three and 16, with packs of two priced at £18.

Both adult and kids sizes are available from Vistaprint, which offers a variety of colourful designs from £13 each, and every mask comes with a replacement filter system that can be rewashed.

Just Hype also boasts a range of styles for adults and children, with a variety of prints to choose from. The masks have elasticated ear loops and can be bought individually or in packs of three, with prices from £9.99.

For something more brightly coloured, Rachel Riley has a range of kids masks on offer in an arrange of cute prints, including floral, anchors, hearts, checks and sailboats, among others, for £19.

Alternatively, Amazon has a wealth of different child-friendly options to suit a range of budgets.

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