New regulations means they are a legal requirement.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has signed a regulation that requires passengers and drivers to wear face coverings when travelling by or using a small public service vehicle.
The move means that face coverings are now a legal requirement in a taxi, hackney or limousine.
Passengers are required to wear a face covering at all times and drivers have the right to refuse carriage to someone not wearing one. Drivers are also entitled to curtail a journey if a passenger removes the face covering during the trip.
Drivers are not required to wear a face covering when alone in the vehicle or it is not in use, but must wear them at all other times.
Anne Graham, Chief Executive, National Transport Authority (NTA) said: “We very much welcome the Minister’s decision to sign this regulation. The clear and consistent message is that face coverings make journeys safer for passengers and for drivers.
“We asked about Covid risk in a recent survey and 92% of current customers said they felt safe in taxi. We believe that this Regulation will increase people’s confidence in the SPSV sector, and encourage more people back into our taxis. The take-up of face coverings in taxis is already very high, and we would like to thank those customers for responding so positively.
“The signing of this Regulation will enable us to get the message out loud and clear that face coverings must be worn. We are asking people to do the right thing and exercise their personal responsibility. My mask protects you. Your mask protects me, so remember to put one on before you get into the car.
“Taxis, hackneys and limousines are important parts of the Transport for Ireland public transport network. They have been operating throughout Covid-19 and continue to provide their essential door to door services to passengers.
“We also encourage people to download the TFI Driver Check app, for reassurance that they are travelling with a registered taxi driver,” she said.
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