Ministers at odds over masks
Minister says use of face coverings indoors shouldn’t be mandatory, despite PM hinting rules could change
A CABINET split over wearing face coverings in shops has led to confusion over the Government’s policy on the issue.
Last week Boris Johnson indicated that face coverings would become mandatory in shops and other enclosed spaces as he said there was a need to be “stricter” on enforcement.
But yesterday Michael Gove insisted there was no need to make masks compulsory in shops, suggesting it should be left to “people’s good sense”.
Asked by the BBC’S Andrew Marr if they should be mandatory in shops, Mr Gove said: “I don’t think mandatory, no. But...i think that it is basic good manners, courtesy, consideration to wear a face mask if you are, for example, in a shop.”
Downing Street appeared to contradict Mr Gove by saying the issue was being kept under review and that it remained possible they could be made mandatory. Mr Johnson is expected to hold a press conference this week to address the issue of wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces and could also change official advice on public transport after telling the public they should go to work if they can do so safely.
FACE masks should not be made mandatory in shops, Michael Gove has said, despite Downing Street’s insistence the policy is under review and could be introduced.
Mr Gove warned against introducing a “binary divide” by making masks obligatory in public, stressing that face masks were “significantly less important outdoors... than indoors”.
People should be allowed to use their own judgment to decide whether a mask is appropriate in different situations, he said, warning that some people could think they were invincible while wearing a mask.
“I think people can understand that this is a novel virus with specific challenges,” he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.
“I think it’s quite right to treat people with the respect that their intelligence and judgment deserves.
“It mustn’t be the case that anyone thinks that wearing a face mask would make you invulnerable.”
Mr Gove said the masks should be worn out of consideration for others, even if they are not made mandatory.
But Downing Street last night said the option to make masks compulsory was still on the table, suggesting the Prime Minister may think it will soon become necessary to force people to wear them. The risk of transmission of the virus indoors is reduced between people who are wearing face coverings, evidence suggests.
“It is something which is under review and if the decision to make it mandatory is taken, that will be announced in due course,” a No 10 source said.
Speaking in a Facebook video on Friday, Boris Johnson suggested the Government had plans to increase the proportion of people wearing masks.
“We are looking at ways of making sure that people really do have face coverings in shops,” he said.
“The balance of scientific opinion seems to have shifted more in favour of them than it was.”
Face coverings have been compulsory in shops in Scotland since July 10.
They are also compulsory on trains, buses and the London Underground, but the British Transport Police said it preferred to enforce the rules by “engaging with the public and explain the reasons why the protections are necessary and a lawful requirement”.
Fines have been issued to repeat offenders and some arrests have been made, a spokesman said.
The Labour Party yesterday signalled its support for masks to become compulsory in shops, but not in bars and restaurants, which it said would be impractical. Lucy Powell, a shadow business minister, accused the Government of “showing a bit of leg” by suggesting it would enforce face mask guidelines, but not announcing a change of policy.
“We do need to get a lot more confidence back in the system and if the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops will help to do that, then we absolutely support it,” she said.
“We think the Government – instead of just showing a bit of leg occasionally on these things by briefing newspapers or saying things that are not clear guidance in press conferences, as the Prime Minister did on Friday – [should] get some clarity That’s really something that would get confidence back into the system and get people feeling that they can go to the shops, they can go to restaurants and go to bars.”
On Friday, Mr Johnson was pictured wearing a mask during a visit to businesses in his constituency. It followed concerns that Government ministers were discouraging mask usage by not wearing them in public.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, was criticised for not wearing one while serving food at Wagamama in a photo opportunity following last week’s budget announcement, while Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, did not cover his face while being photographed at a Brewdog pub.
Donald Trump, the US president, was pictured in a face mask on an official visit for the first time over the weekend, while Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has been seen wearing a face covering.