Face masks to be mandatory for health staff and all visitors

Success of extended rules could lead to a reduction in two-metre limit as rail unions threaten to strike

THE mandatory face coverings rule was extended yesterday as it emerged that ministers could relax the two-metre regulation if people get into the habit of wearing them in all public places.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said hospital visitors will be required to wear face coverings and all hospital workers must wear medical-grade face masks at all times from June 15.

His announcement came a day after Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, made face coverings mandatory on all public transport from the same date.

Yesterday, the British Medical Association said face coverings should be compulsory where social distancing is not possible and the World Health Organisation said they should be worn in shops. Whitehall sources did not rule out telling people to wear them in shops and other indoor spaces.

Ministers hope that by forcing people to wear masks on public transport they will voluntarily wear them elsewhere, removing the need for extra legislation. One Whitehall source said: “If people see wearing a mask as the norm it makes it easier to ask them to wear them in more places, and that would contribute towards being able to reduce the two-metre rule, though it might not be enough on its own.”

Yesterday a Yougov poll found 73 per cent of adults backed making masks compulsory in shops. In addition, 64 per cent want them to be mandatory in busy outdoor spaces.

Government sources acknowledged face coverings might be necessary in shops by the autumn at the very least, because the public will not put up with queuing outside supermarkets for long periods in rain, snow or freezing temperatures. They could be allowed indoors in greater numbers if they are wearing masks.

Mr Hancock announced that all hospital workers will have to wear Type 1 or Type 2 surgical masks from June 15 at all times while on shift, and all hospital visitors and outpatients will have to wear face coverings, which can be homemade. It will not apply to care homes for now because the restrictions on visiting have not been lifted.

Rail unions have threatened to strike over the decision to use volunteers to help enforce the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said it had not been consulted and safety-critical roles should not be done by “unpaid, unskilled workers”. Mick Cash, general secretary, said staff working on trains and other forms of public transport would be forced to “police this policy”, leaving them at “risk of being abused, assaulted and spat at by aggressive passengers refusing to comply”.

Mr Cash said the union would now consider a strike ballot unless it received reassurances from ministers.

A senior Government source said volunteers and staff at train and Tube stations would distribute free facemasks for the first few days after the changes are implemented. They said Network Rail had a stockpile of 1.5million face coverings, while train operators had built up their own supplies.

However, they warned that the onus was on people to bring their own coverings, adding: “We don’t want people to think they will get a face covering every time they come to the station.”

There will be an increased number of British Transport Police officers posted at stations in the initial stages, although the source said enforcement would not be “over zealous”.

The face coverings rule will not apply to taxis because that would require a change of law.