LICENSED taxi and private hire drivers in the Basildon area are being offered free face masks to help keep themselves and customers safe amid the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions.

The new "Omicron" variant has prompted a tightening of restrictions resulting in face masks once again becoming compulsory unless exempt in shops and on public transport.

The Department for Transport has offered local authorities thousands of free masks, specifically for licence holders and to date 40,000 have been given to drivers in a joint effort between the council, private hire operators and trade associations.

Chairman of Basildon Council's licensing committee Cllr Danny Lawrence has been out handing them over to the borough licensed taxi drivers.

He said: "It was a pleasure to go out to deliver these face masks with our licensing officers and we hope to issue another 40,000 by the end of the year. They are vital in keeping our drivers and residents safe and limiting the spread of infection. We are also asking that everyone remains respectful in their use."