COVERED UP
New face mask rules – from banks to shopping centres all the places you need to wear a covering from today
FACE masks are now compulsory in places like cafes, banks and shopping centres - here's everywhere you'll need to wear one.
The new measures came into force today (Friday, July 24) - and you could be fined £100 if you break the rules.
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The government states that people must wear face masks in shops to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Customers in fast food restaurants such as McDonald's have to wear a face while ordering at the counter for a takeaway, but not when sitting down to eat in, new rules from the Department for Health confirmed.
The guidance on takeaways and sandwich shops says: "It will be compulsory to wear a face covering when buying food and drink to takeaway from cafes and shops.
"If you are in a premises where you are able to sit down and consume food or drink that you have bought, then you can remove your face covering in order to eat and drink on site."
It doesn't specify that it needs to be a venue with table service to be able to take the mask off.
Venues such as restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers are exempt.
But further guidance has now been issued about the other places where you have to wear them.
This includes banks, shopping centres, train stations and airports.
Places where you have to wear a mask
FROM today, July 24, you need to wear a face mask in these places:
- Shops
- Supermarkets
- Shopping centres
- Transport hubs - Train stations and terminals, airports, ports, bus and coach stations and terminals
- Cafes and when buying takeaway food
- Banks and building societies
- Post Offices
And if you're in a bank, building society or Post Office, you may be asked to remove your mask if they need to check your identity.
For example, you may need to prove your identity if you're opening a new account.
A shop may also ask you to remove your mask for age-restricted products, such as alcohol and cigarettes.
You can see a full list of places where you need to wear a face covering in the box above.
Shop and supermarket staff don't have to wear masks - but the government has strongly recommended that employers consider asking them to.
Rules for wearing face masks in restaurants
THE rules have changed for when you'll need to wear a face mask in restaurants and fast food chains.
If you're buying food and drink to takeaway, you are required to wear a face covering.
But if you plan on sitting down inside a restaurant to eat, you don't need to wear one.
The government has previously said "it's not practical" to wear face masks in places where you'll be eating.
We've rounded up what you need to know about eating out following the face mask changes.
Will I be fined if I don't wear a face mask?
The police have the power to issue a £100 fine if you're caught not wearing a face mask in places where it's compulsory.
Shops have been warned not to challenge customers who fail to wear masks, following a 40 per cent spike of violence against retail workers in lockdown.
Instead, shop staff have been urged by The Association of Convenience Stores to put up signs reminding people to wear a face covering.
It's been mandatory to wear a face mask on public transport - including buses, trains and planes - since June 15.
Face masks are also compulsory on public transport in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but not in Wales.
The public has also been asked to wear face masks in hospitals - this includes when attending appointments and visiting relatives or friends.
Places where you WON'T have to wear a mask
YOU don't need to wear a mask when visiting the following places, as of July 24:
- Restaurants (if eating in)
- Pubs
- Gyms
- Hairdressers
- Cinemas
- Concert halls
- Theatres
- Dentists
- Opticians
- Outdoor spaces - For example, walking down the street or sitting in a park
Where are face masks NOT compulsory?
Face masks are recommended in crowded spaces but are on the whole not compulsory in outdoor spaces.
This includes when walking down the street and sitting in the park.
You also don't need to wear face masks when going to the cinema, theatre, hairdressers or opticians.
You can find a full list of places where face coverings aren't necessary in the box above.
Official government guidance also exempts the following groups:
- A child under the age of 11
- An employee of the transport operator, when they are working
- A person with breathing difficulties
- Anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading
- People with disabilities
- Any other person providing services to the transport operator, under arrangements made with the transport operator
- A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
- An emergency responder such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
- An official, for example a border force officer, acting in the course of their duties
- If you are allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation, at any time when you are in that accommodation, either alone, or only with members of your own household or a linked household
- If you are on board public transport but remain in your private vehicle, for example on a car ferry
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