Bus services to return to normal under alert level 3. Photo / Supplied
Bus services to return to normal under alert level 3. Photo / Supplied
New Zealand's health boss and Auckland Transport are at odds over whether passengers should wear masks on public transport.
Passenger numbers are expected to jump next week as more Kiwis go back to work under alert level 3 and the city's bus timetable returns to normal after weeks of reduced services during the hard-line alert level 4 Covid-19 lockdown.
But as passenger numbers increase, Auckland Transport has encouraged passengers to don face masks.
"The wearing of masks is not mandatory on public transport, but we recommend that customers use them if possible as an added precaution against the spread of Covid-19," the transport group said.
However, the nation's top health official - director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield - said today his team did not recommend face masks on public transport.
"At this point, we are not recommending people use face masks routinely," he said.
"We don't think it is an important part of our overall measures.
"The most important parts are the physical distancing and hygiene and other safety measures, and, of course, maintaining the bubbles - that is the really critical thing ... under alert level 3."
Bloomfield said debate over the effectiveness of masks remained divided.
"You can find very high-level specialists on both sides of the argument."
With that said, people who wanted to use masks were welcome to do so, he said.
But they should make sure they knew how to use them, Bloomfield said.
People not used to wearing masks may find it uncomfortable and be tempted to unconsciously use their hands to adjust them regularly, potentially bringing germs from surfaces they touch into contact with their faces.
If masks became wet on people's faces, viruses, such as Covid-19, could also transmit through them, he said.
His comments come as Auckland buses and trains have been carrying about 85 per cent fewer passengers than normal during the Covid-19 lockdown - but operators say those travelling are important passengers like nurses.
Under alert level 3, any member of the public making an essential trip to school or work will now be allowed back on trains and buses.
During alert level 4, only those deemed "essential workers" could travel.
That led city trains and buses to carry an average 13,618 passengers per day over the past three weeks - dramatically down on usual passenger numbers.
NZTA is covering the cost of the free fares. And it estimates that would total $19 million by the end of this month.
"Our public transport services are running at a reduced timetable, this equates to approximately 68 per cent of our normal service," an AT spokeswoman said.
"However, when you take into consideration the need for physical distancing, it looks more like 15 per cent of normal capacity."
It had been important to maintain a regular bus service during the lockdown, despite the greatly reduced passenger numbers, AT said.
Bus services to return to normal under alert level 3. Photo / Supplied
Under alert level 4, Monday to Saturday services have been running on a timetable close to that normally used on Saturdays while Sunday's timetable has remained as normal.
Importantly, this had greatly helped healthcare workers, the organisation said.
"We appreciate that this will be a difficult question to answer, but a best estimate helps us plan," the spokeswoman said.
Under alert level 3, all bus services, including for schools, would remain free.
But passengers were requested to tag on and tag off with their HOP cards so AT could gather information about how many people were using the buses.
"Students without HOP cards can also travel free, if there is room on the bus, but we would prefer it if they purchased a HOP card so we can more accurately monitor how many people are on board," she said.
AT said it had improved its "cleaning regime to include antimicrobial protection fogging of facilities and our fleet".
Under alert level 3, travel on public transport was possible for the following reasons:
Parking meters, meanwhile, would remain switched off for the time being, with motorists able to continue to park in AT buildings and on-street for free.
Under alert level 4, e-scooters and e-bikes were not available for hire. It was unclear if that would change under alert level 3.
