YOU WILL HAVE TO WEAR MASKS IN SHOPS
WEARING a face mask will become compulsory in shops and supermarkets next week.
Ministers have decided to change the law after studying new scientific evidence showing that covering the nose and mouth can curb the spread of coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will today announce to MPs that the measure
will come into force in England from July 24 – a week on Friday.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus.
“The Prime Minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops, and we will make this mandatory from July 24.” The shift follows a snap Government review, with some ministers understood to have argued for the voluntary approach to continue.
Shoppers caught flouting the rule will face a £100 fine under changes expected to be made to the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act.
Paying the fine within 14 days will lead to it being halved to £50.
In line with the rules on public transport, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.
Ministers will keep the option of widening the rules to cover other enclosed spaces under review.
Whitehall insiders say responsibility for enforcing the shop rule will lie with the police.
Shop staff will be expected to encourage people to obey the law but will not have to try to compel people to wear masks.
The rule change follows evidence that coronavirus droplets hang in the air in enclosed spaces much longer than previously thought.
Concern has also grown about people who don’t have symptoms but are infected with the disease and unwittingly spreading it.
Yesterday, during a visit to the HQ of the London Ambulance Service, Mr Johnson said: “What we’ve said for a while now is that we do think masks have a great deal of value.
“Obviously they’re mandatory on public transport, on the Tube – but they have a great deal of value in confined spaces, where you’re coming into contact with people you don’t normally meet.
“What’s been interesting on the issue in the last few months is the scientific evaluation of face coverings and their importance in stopping aerosol droplets. So, I do think that in shops it is very important to wear a face covering, if you’re going to be in a confined space and you want to protect other people and to receive protection in turn.
“Yes, I think, people should be wearing [face coverings] in shops. And, in terms of how we do that, whether we make it mandatory or not, we will be looking at the guidance, we’ll be saying a little bit more in the next few days.”
His remarks appeared to be at odds with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove who said on Sunday that while masks were “basic good manners” he trusted “people’s good sense” on the issue.
Meanwhile Mr Johnson repeated his call for employees to start returning to their workplaces.
He said: “Where businesses have made a huge effort to make the workplace safe, I do think people should start to think about getting back to work but provided we all continue to follow the precautions.” This contradicts the current Government advice to work from home where possible.
Mr Johnson, who also revealed he would be holidaying in the UK this summer, then risked worsening the confusion by greeting ambu
lance staff with “elbow bumps”. Official advice is to maintain 2m between people where possible.
Earlier yesterday Justice Secretary Robert Buckland confirmed that making masks compulsory was under consideration.
He said: “Wearing them in an enclosed space where you’ve got lots of people, for example a busy shop, seems to be sensible.
“It is all about increasing confidence. I think the more of us who do the courteous and responsible thing, the more people you’ll see venture out into shops.
“If it becomes necessary to nudge people further by taking further action then, of course, we will consider that.”
At present, wearing face coverings is a condition of travel on public transport and is also mandatory in hospitals and other clinical environments in England.
In Scotland they are already compulsory in shops.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “A formal review is taking place and we will be discussing it with scientific advisers this week and setting out a final position in the next few days.”
He added that the Government guidance recommending people should work from home if possible was also under review.