Masked in confusion yet again
Confusion as rules change yet again in latest U-turn
FACE masks will have to be worn in takeaways and sandwich shops from today after another U-turn by the Government.
Customers in fast food joints must wear one while ordering at the counter for a takeaway, but not if they eat in.
Meanwhile, footballers have been told to take free-kicks and corners quickly to stop players passing on coronavirus.
Other FA guidelines allowing grassroots matches to resume in August include disinfecting balls and goalposts.
The mask changes follow huge confusion after ministers contradicted each other over where you should wear one.
UK Hospitality boss Kate Nicholls said the messages had been contradictory and it was “very late in the day” for the guidance to be confirmed. Face coverings will also be mandatory in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks and post offices. Anyone who fails to comply could be fined £100.
But children under 11 and people with breathing problems do not have to wear one.
Ministers say the responsibility “sits with individuals” and that businesses should encourage customers to follow the law.
But Tom Ironside, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “It must be up to the police to enforce these rules.” However,
Downing Street insisted most people will “voluntarily” follow the rules and that calling police will be a “last resort”. And police forces say they will only attend if shoppers get violent.
Masks have been compulsory on public transport since last month but will not be mandatory in pubs, gyms, hairdressers, cinemas, restaurants, leisure centres, concert halls and theatres.
Boris Johnson masked up as he paid a visit to Orkney and the north of Scotland yesterday where he “pledged to be a prime minister for every corner of the United Kingdom”.
And as the FA looked to bring back amateur football, officials said balls should be disinfected at breaks in play if they are handled by goalies or during throw-ins.
A further 53 people in the UK have died from coronavirus, taking the total to 45,554.