"The wearing of masks will be compulsory on public transport."
New regulations expected to be signed on Friday will make it compulsory to wear a mask on public transport from Monday.
The detailed regulation providing for mandatory face coverings on public transport has been drawn up by the Department of Health and the Department of Transport.
Speaking on Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that once the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport comes into effect, he expects that the public will comply with the regulations.
The move is deemed necessary due to the increase in bus and train capacity this week combined with concerns about low levels of mask wearing by people in confined areas.
“I can say that in relation to masks, as of from Monday, the wearing of masks will be compulsory on public transport,” Martin said.
The regulations will give transport companies the authority to refuse people access to transport if they're not wearing a face covering and Gardaí can be called if a person refuses to abide by the regulations.
Martin said the government will continue to encourage people to wear face coverings in crowded indoor gatherings and where social distancing is not possible.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said on Thursday the reproductive number of the virus had risen to one or above one.
