Face masks must still be worn in West Yorkshire bus stations, Metro Mayor Tracy Brabin has decided.

Even after national restrictions are lifted from Monday July 19, bus stations operated by West Yorkshire Combined Authority – including Huddersfield – will still require people to wear face coverings.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Ms Brabin also wants passengers to continue to wear masks on buses though the Combined Authority cannot enforce that.

The mayor said: “The past 18 months has been incredibly hard for our West Yorkshire communities – no more so than for the vulnerable and for people who have tragically lost loved ones.

“This is why I am urging people across the region to wear a face mask on all of our public transport networks. I hope this will give encouragement to those who are vulnerable – such as those using public transport to attend chemotherapy appointments – to continue to travel on public transport.

“With that in mind, and with 71% of the public supportive of the continued use of face coverings, I am mandating the use of face coverings across bus stations in West Yorkshire. Whilst I would like to go further to include buses and trains, we are doing what is in our power.

Huddersfield Bus Station

“I have been consistently clear with Government – they have the power to mandate face masks across all transport networks and I would support them to make that decision as restrictions lift.

“While the vaccination roll out is impressive, we still have further to go with infections across West Yorkshire still high.

“We have come so far. Let’s stick together, support each other so places like West Yorkshire can recover and thrive.”