Thousands still not wearing masks on the London Underground, data suggests

Nearly 10,000 people have been stopped from travelling on the Underground because they are not wearing a mask

Thousands of travellers are still not wearing face masks on the London Underground, according to new data. Transport for London has released figures that reveal that 137,000 people have been stopped and informed they will not be allowed to travel without wearing a face covering, since the new rules were introduced last summer. TfL did however add that most people did wear a mask when prompted, and continued on with their journeys. 9,800 were stopped from travelling, and 2,100 were removed from the Underground and issues fixed penalty notices. TfL inspectors do not require any proof that someone is exempt from wearing a mask, and have to take passengers word for it. TfL representative Siwan Hayward told the BBC that she believed "the system is working pretty well." "That's the way the law is constructed," said Hayward. "Some of my colleagues are frustrated that there's not a requirement to prove you're exempt." "However, my officers in TfL are all very well trained at getting honest answers out of people and will be able to make a judgement. "We're pretty confident the system is working pretty well." Since June 15th, it has been required that all travellers on public transport in England wear a face covering, unless they are exempt. Those who don't can be fined £200 for a first offence (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days), and with that doubling for every subsequent offence up to a total of £6,400. Masks also must be worn on aeroplanes, taxis and private hire vehicles, airports, rail stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, and coach stations. According to gov.uk website, exemptions to wearing a mask can include children under the age of 11, and for "people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability."