The level of commitment on day one of the Government’s mandatory use of face masks on public transport has been "impressive" and "heartening", Dunedin leaders say.
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 taxis to wear face masks, starting yesterday, to protect themselves and others.
The move came after several people became unwell from a bus journey and new research showed the benefits of people wearing face coverings.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said he took the bus from Port Chalmers to work in Dunedin yesterday morning and was "impressed" with the level of commitment from passengers.
"It’s good to see this being taken seriously.
"All but a couple of the passengers were wearing various masks or face coverings, and those that didn’t were offered disposable masks by our driver."
There were no altercations involving people who were not wearing masks, he said.
"There was absolutely no grief to speak of, which was heartening."
Bus driver Mike Durry said the vast majority of passengers travelling on his bus routes yesterday had worn masks.
"There’s a good turnout of people wearing them on the bus, as well as off the bus.
"There were only two passengers that didn’t wear them."
He said he had a pile of masks to give to people if they forgot their own, but he had been advised by his bosses not to insist people wear them.
"I’m surprised by the number of people wearing them out in the open, considering it’s not compulsory there."
Passenger Audrey Zecri said she had been wearing masks everywhere for the past two weeks, so she was used to wearing them on public transport.
She said she was wearing masks because she did not want to catch Covid or, even worse, spread it.
"If I can make a difference, that’s great, even though it’s not very comfortable."
There was even a police presence at the Dunedin bus hub for a short time yesterday morning, when Constable Nick Turner wandered around the area, handing out face masks to people using public transport.
Southern District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said the DHB was pleased by the public’s response to all the public health requests to date.
"Now we urge them to keep vigilant and to follow the Alert Level 2 new requirements to wear masks on public transport and help keep our community safe.
"I’m really heartened by how seriously Southerners have taken important public health messages so far, and we are counting on them to continue doing the right thing."
