Labor leader Jodi McKay calls for mandatory masks on Sydney public transport

A push has been launched for all commuters to wear masks on Sydney’s public transport as virus cases in the city continue to rise.

The NSW Labor Party is calling for masks to be made mandatory on Sydney’s public transport system as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the city.

As residents begin filtering back into the office, the city’s buses and trains are becoming increasingly congested, which Labor leader Jodi McKay believes could lead to an outbreak that would send everyone back into lockdown.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has asked commuters to try to stagger their start and finish times where possible to ease the strain or avoid using public transport altogether if they can.

Labor is calling for masks to become compulsory on Sydney public transport. Picture: Bianca De Marchi / NCA NewsWire

Ms McKay hit back on Thursday, saying the advice was “completely impractical for thousands of people who depend on buses, trains and ferries to get to work”.

She said compulsory masks on public transport would help to protect the economy and spare residents from entering a second lockdown like in Melbourne.

“Instead of issuing fines, they should be handing out masks,” she said.

“We need to stop the spread of the virus to protect jobs.

“This is not a political issue.

“This is about keeping people safe and protecting the economy. If you have a job you want to keep it and get to work safely. If the Government does this then they will have bipartisan support.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has asked NSW residents to “consider” wearing face masks where it is not possible to socially distance but has not gone as far as making it mandatory.

Speaking on 2GB on Thursday morning, Mr Constance said the state could harden the stance down the line but was sticking to the “consider” advice to avoid fining residents.

“The advice at this stage is not to fine people, it’s to consider wearing a mask,” he said.

Government advice is for people to ‘consider’ wearing masks on public transport if they cannot socially distance. Picture: Bianca De Marchi / NCA NewsWire