THE government has extended the rules on where Brits have to wear a mask in a bid to slow the spread of the new coronavirus variant.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced that masks will be required in almost all public settings from Friday, December 10.
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Covid restrictions have been ramped up again due to concerns over the Omicron variant.
There were already rules in place requiring customers to wear a mask in shops but those have been extended.
Cinemas, churches and libraries are now among the places where you’ll have to wear a mask.
Alongside the new rules on face coverings, Mr Johnson announced that vaccine passports will be required for large events such as nightclubs and football matches.
He also said people in England should work from home if they can to avoid transmitting the virus – however this is just guidance and not law.
Ministers have confirmed that the new Plan B rules will be in place until January 26.
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Where do I have to wear a mask?
You currently have to wear a face covering in shops and on public transport.
This also applies to other high street businesses such as estate agents and beauty salons.
Supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have confirmed that customers will have to wear a mask.
John Lewis said it will be reminding customers and staff that a face covering is a “mandatory requirement unless exempt”.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Wilko said: “We’ll be following government guidelines and asking team members and customers to wear face coverings when in our stores unless it’s not appropriate for them to do so. “
The rules have been extended to include community centres, places of worship, cinemas, galleries and theatres from December 10.
Here is the government’s full list of where you are required to wear a mask from tomorrow.
- community centres (including village halls), youth centres, members clubs and social clubs
- libraries and public reading rooms
- polling stations and premises used for the counting of votes
- places of worship
- crematoria and burial ground chapels
- visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, indoor theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, indoor areas at aquariums, zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, snooker and pool halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, indoor sports stadiums, funfairs, indoor theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)
- public areas in hotels and hostels
- indoor areas of sports stadiums
It has been mandatory to wear a mask in these areas since November 30:
- shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
- auction houses
- post offices, banks, building societies, high street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
- estate and letting agents
- premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)
- pharmacies
- premises providing veterinary services
- retail galleries
- retail travel agents
- takeaways without space for consumption of food or drink on premises
- shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
- public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries), taxis and private hire vehicles
- any car or small van during a professionally delivered driving lesson, a practical driving test, or during one of the practical tests for giving driving instruction, and in all HGV lessons and tests
- transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
Where don’t I have to wear a mask?
You don’t need to wear a mask in pubs or restaurants, either at your table or when moving around the venue.
Pub chain Young’s said: “We continue to follow Government guidance which does not require customers to wear face masks or show vaccine passports in pubs.”
Fullers confirmed that customers and staff do not have to wear a mask but they are welcome to if they want to.
You also won’t have to wear one at a nightclub or watching a gig, but they could be required in certain parts of the building.
Masks don’t have to be worn in private homes or cars.
Where might I need a mask?
The government advises that people wear masks in crowded and enclosed indoor spaces, where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet, even if it’s not legally required.
This means you might need a mask at work, depending on your company’s policy.
Some firms might ask you to wear a face covering in communal areas such as kitchens.
If you’re not sure on the rules at work you should ask your line manager or the HR department.
Boris Johnson triggers Covid Plan B with work from home, vaccine passports and tougher face mask rules within DAYS
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