Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why private coach services have been prevented from running services before 17 May, given that scheduled bus services and train operators are allowed to run services before that date subject to social distancing.

The government has committed to taking a gradual, phased approach to reopening in order to keep the virus under control and to avoid another surge in infections that could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. Decisions about reopening are informed by the latest scientific evidence and seek a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country.

Step 2 of the Roadmap prioritises outdoor activity over indoor activity, and indoor activity within households rather than between them.

Private hire coach tours are only permitted for a private group of a single household or support bubble. The coach driver and tour guide do not count towards the single household/support bubble rule. Private hire coaches must not accommodate groups containing multiple households (excluding support bubbles) travelling together to the same destination or making the same journey (for example, for the purposes of a leisure tour), as this is more akin to ‘indoor gathering’ than it is to ‘public transport’ and will therefore not be permitted until Step 3.