Where do I have to wear a face mask? The mandatory places to have face coverings

Face coverings are mandatory in shops and supermarkets and on public transport in England  
David Child|Emily Lawford23 September 2020

Wearing a face covering is mandatory in shops and supermarkets and while taking public transport in England, unless you are medically exempt, as part of efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

The measure applies to anyone travelling by bus, coach, train, tram, ferry, the Tube or plane, and those found not adhering to the rule could be refused travel. They could also be fined £200 for failing to comply - a cost which doubles after each offence.

From September 24, face coverings will also be compulsory in hospitality venues unless customers are sitting down to eat or drink.

The president of the Royal Society has said everyone should wear a face covering in public to help tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

Professor Venki Ramakrishnan called for people to be required to wear a face covering when they leave their homes, particularly in enclosed indoor spaces.

Here's what you need to know:

Face coverings mandatory on public transport as lockdown eases

1/17

What is a face covering?

Face coverings can be a scarf, piece of cloth or mask.

The UK Government says they are “marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure”, and states that evidence suggests face coverings do not protect the wearer, but may protect other people from an infected person.

Surgical masks should be reserved for people who need them for protection while at work such as medical staff, according to official advice.

Face coverings should be washed as soon as possible after use.

Where do I have to wear a face covering?

  • Public transport

Wearing a face covering has been mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England since July 24.

You must have your nose and mouth covered when you go shopping or risk a £200 fine – reduced to £100 if it is paid within 14 days.

People who offend more than once will have future fines doubled at each offence - with no chance of a discount if it is paid early. The second fine will amount to £400, and the third will be £800 - up to a maximum fine of £6,400.

It will be up to police to dish out penalties and not business owners or shop workers, although they are being asked to encourage customers to comply.

For anyone travelling via public transport in England, wearing a face covering is already mandatory.

The rule applies to people using buses, coaches, trains, trams, the Tube, ferries or planes.

It also applies while in transport hubs such as stations and airports.

People are also required in England to wear masks in taxis and other private hire vehicles.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said remembering to travel with face coverings should become part of people’s daily routine as part of efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19.

  • Hospitals (when visiting)

All hospital visitors and outpatients in England have also been told to wear non-medical face coverings. Coverings will be provided by hospitals, if necessary.

  • In busy public spaces

Official guidance says those in England should also wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces where social distancing is not possible. People are now required to wear face masks in shops, libraries, places of worship, post offices, beauty salons and other public buildings.

From September 24, it is mandatory for people to wear face coverings in hospitality venues, such as bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes, except when customers are seated at a table to eat or drink.

Are there any exceptions?

Children under the age of 11, operator staff, transport officials, police officers and other emergency service workers while on duty do not have to comply with the face covering rule in England.

People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering without severe distress or because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability are also exempt from the rules.

The law also does not apply to lip readers travelling with another person who relies on them to communicate.

Where can I get a face covering?

Hundreds of thousands of face coverings have been handed out free of charge to passengers at railway stations across the country.

Mr Shapps has also encouraged passengers to wear "the kind of face covering you can easily make at home".

Common household items - such as cotton fabric from T-shirts or bedding - can be converted into face coverings.

The Government has issued guidance on how to make your own.

Do face coverings protect against coronavirus?

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) says evidence does not currently support the use of face masks to protect the wearer in the general population, although if someone is infectious with symptoms, they will reduce transmission.

The group found the evidence is marginally in favour of a small effect, but only in enclosed environments.

The World Health Organisation, meanwhile, has concluded that the use of a medical mask could prevent the spread of droplets from an infected person.

It said, however, there is no evidence that wearing a mask – whether medical or other types – by healthy people in the wider community can protect them from infection with respiratory viruses, including Covid-19.

How long are the rules in place?

The Government must review the regulations within six months and the law expires after a year, if not already scrapped.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in