Request ID: FOI-1589-2122 Date published: 05 November 2021
You asked
May I please request the statistics you have on the number of passengers you have prevented boarding / entering TfL stations / directed to leave TfL premises due to not wearing face coverings by stations and by time of a day?
Also, the number of staffs you have on duties by stations and by times of a day that helps out to enforce the face covering rules.
With the UK covid cases going back to above 50k levels, it is important to everyone's health and safety that non-exempt passengers keep their face coverings on.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1589-2122
Thank you for your request of 21st October 2021 asking for information about the enforcement of mask-wearing on TfL services.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“May I please request the statistics you have on the number of passengers you have prevented boarding / entering TfL stations / directed to leave TfL premises due to not wearing face coverings by stations and by time of a day?
Also, the number of staffs you have on duties by stations and by times of a day that helps out to enforce the face covering rules.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Between 4 July 2020 (when the enforcement of face -coverings began) and 21 October 2021 (the date of your request):
14,319 people were prevented by TfL staff from boarding a TfL service or entering a TfL station
3,373 were directed to leave a TfL service and station
TfL employs approximately 500 enforcement staff whose role includes the enforcement of the mask wearing requirement.
In terms of the request for times, dates and locations - both in terms of where passengers have been stopped and where staff are operating - this information is exempt from disclosure under section 38 of the Freedom of Information Act, which can apply where release of the requested information would endanger any individual. TfL requires passengers to wear face masks on our services to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, in the interests of passengers, staff and the wider population. Release of information under FOI is deemed to be release to the world at large. If it is known exactly where and when the enforcement of mask-wearing is focussed then this may encourage people intent on not wearing a mask to try and avoid certain times and routes, defeating the purpose of the requirement. The requested information is therefore exempt from disclosure.
Section 38 is a “qualified exemption”, meaning its use is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, and the fact that you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, in this instance we believe that the balance of public interest lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that we are able to continue to comply with our duty to protect the safety of the travelling public as well as our staff.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
