Face masks mandatory in England's shops from 24 July
Wearing face masks in England's shops and supermarkets will be essential from 24 July, according to new government guidelines. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.
Anyone who fails to comply will be fined £100 or £50 if they pay within 14 days. Police will enforce the rules, although shop staff are expected to encourage the policy.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said on BBC Radio 4: "With all of our laws there is an element of policing by consent and so we need the public to play their part and abide by the restrictions."
The announcement follows the same rules already implemented in Scotland and European countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany. It has been mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport since 15 June.
The World Health Organisation updated guidance in June recommending that everyone wear face masks in public areas where there is a risk of transmission of Covid-19, to help reduce the spread of the disease.
A recent study by the Royal Society’s Science in Emergencies Tasking Covid-19 group reported that the UK was trailing behind other countries in its uptake of wearing face coverings.
"Wearing a mask did not bother our Italian, French or Spanish neighbours; none of whom were used to wearing one before the pandemic, yet now do so routinely," said Ramakrishnan, according to The Guardian. “Treat it as another item of clothing that is part of the new normal and wear it whenever you cannot socially distance safely. It is the right thing to do, and a small price to pay, to help keep infections down and the economy open in the pandemic.”
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