The Department for Transport has written to local authorities offering facemasks to Local Transport Authorities and transport operators.

In the letter, jointly issued with the Department for Health and Social Care, said “The Government currently has a strong stock of face masks, including disposable masks which can be used as PPE in certain settings, but which can also be used as face coverings for source control.

“To support the reopening of the economy and increased use of the transport network we are able to take advantage of this stock of face masks, and these are being offered to Local Transport Authorities and transport operators for use as a contingency supply of face coverings for passengers across the transport network including taxis and Private Hire Vehicles.”

It said the facemasks can be used where passengers:

• have forgotten their face covering
• are unable to use their face covering as it has become damp, soiled or unsafe
• are struggling to access a face covering