BUS users in Hereford will still be encouraged to wear masks from today (Monday), despite the legal requirement to do so ending.

Step four of the UK Government's roadmap out of lockdown went ahead on July 19, meaning the majority of coronavirus laws were dropped.

It meant nightclubs could reopen, with some across the country doing so at midnight, and measures such as social distancing and the wearing of face coverings were no longer in legislation.

But some bus and train companies said they would still encourage people to wear face coverings, including Yeomans in Hereford.

"From Monday, July 19 we would politely request that you continue to wear a face covering whilst travelling on our buses and coaches," the firm based in Old School Lane said.

"As restrictions are lifted, our buses could get busier and this will help to protect you, our staff and other passengers.

"Please, where possible pay by contactless and remember – we have all come this far, let’s continue on this journey to keeping everyone safe."

The legal requirement to wear a face covering on public transport remains in Wales, meaning people travelling across the border by train will need to put a mask on at Abergavenny, if heading to south Wales.

But Transport for Wales, which runs the services, said it wanted passengers to continue to wear masks in England.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, self-isolating after Health Secretary Sajid Javid caught Covid-19, urged caution as England unlocked.

A recent YouGov survey suggested 71 per cent of people believed face coverings should continue to be mandatory on public transport from Momday.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, warned that many passengers will be unsure what to do.

He said: “We know people are divided between not wanting to wear face coverings, and not wanting to travel if they aren’t worn.

“The lack of consistency on rules is going to cause some uncertainty and confusion. It could also make enforcement trickier. Clear information before and during journeys will be key.”