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Face coverings are now mandatory
24/07/2020

Face coverings are now mandatory in public spaces where social distancing is not always possible. Below is the most recent information on face coverings/masks, their role in reducing the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19), where they should be used, and how they can be used safely.

Despite wearing a mask or face covering you should follow the existing advice about staying safe outside your home.


What is a face covering?

A face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.


Where should a mask or face covering be worn?

It is currently law to wear a face covering in the following settings:

  • Public transport
  • Indoor transport hubs (airports, rail, tram, bus and coach stations, ports and terminals)
  • Shops and supermarkets
  • Indoor shopping centres
  • Banks, building societies, and post offices
  • Hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and other NHS settings
  • Enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult

You must wear a face covering before entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave.


Where does this law not apply?

Face coverings are not required in:

  • Hospitality settings - restaurants with table service, bars, and pubs
  • Entertainment venues - cinemas or casinos
  • Visitor attractions - heritage sites or museums
  • Exercise and sports venues - gyms

Where a shop is within another premises which does not require a face covering (such as a museum) they are required in the shop only. Check for signage upon entry and exit to know when this is the case.


When can you remove a face covering?

You can remove your face covering in order to eat and drink in an area that is specifically for the purposes of eating and drinking, such as a supermarket cafe, but you can only remove your face covering in this area only. You must put a face covering back on once you leave your seating area.

Designated indoor seating areas for customers to eat or drink are only open for table service, where possible, alongside additional infection control measures. 


What if I don't wear a face covering? 

Shops, supermarkets and other premises where face coverings are required must take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and can refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption.

Transport operators can deny access to public transport if a passenger is not wearing a face covering, or direct them to wear one or leave a service if they are not wearing a face covering.

The police can issue fines of £100 (halving to £50 if paid within 14 days).


When you do not need to wear a face covering?

There are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not expected to wear face coverings. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.

It is not compulsory for shop/supermarket staff or transport workers to wear face coverings.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason, including:

  • Young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
  • To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
  • To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
  • To eat or drink if reasonably necessary
  • In order to take medication
  • If a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
  • If asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
  • If asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
  • If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication 

Exemption Cards

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering.This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign. This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.


Why should I wear a face covering?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) usually spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. These droplets can also be picked up from surfaces, if you touch a surface and then your face without washing your hands first. This is why social distancing, regular hand hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes is so important in controlling the spread of the virus.

The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

Because face coverings are mainly intended to protect others, not the wearer, from coronavirus (COVID-19) they are not a replacement for social distancing and regular hand washing. It is important to follow all the other government advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) including staying safe outside your home. If you have recent onset of any of the most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19):

  • A new continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste

You and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.


How should I wear a face covering?

A face covering should:

  • Cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
  • Fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
  • Be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
  • Be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
  • Ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used)
  • Unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged 

When wearing a face covering you should:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on
  • Avoid wearing on your neck or forehead
  • Avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus
  • Change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it
  • Avoid taking it off and putting it back on a lot in quick succession (for example, when leaving and entering shops on a high street)

When removing a face covering:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before removing
  • Only handle the straps, ties or clips
  • Do not give it to someone else to use
  • If single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle
  • If reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed

Face coverings at work

There is no universal face coverings guidance for workplaces because of the variety of work environments in different industries. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has provided detailed guidance for specific workplace settings. Employers must make sure that the risk assessment for their business addresses the risks of COVID-19 using BEIS guidance to inform decisions and control measures including close proximity working.

It is important to note that coronavirus (COVID-19) needs to be managed through a hierarchy or system of control including social distancing, high standards of hand hygiene, increased surface cleaning, fixed teams or partnering, and other measures such as using screens or barriers to separate people from each other.

These measures remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace, but there are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial and a precautionary measure; this will largely be to protect others and not the wearer. If employees choose to wear a face covering, normal policies relating to occupational workwear and PPE will continue to apply.


Shop and supermarket staff 

Face coverings are not required for employees in shops, supermarkets or indoor shopping centres. This also applies to banks, building societies and post office staff.

This is because there will be times when screens or visors are in use, or when a staff member is not in close proximity to people they do not normally meet, and so it will not be necessary for staff to wear a face covering.

Employees should continue to follow guidance from their employer based on a workplace health and safety assessment.


Transport workers

Transport workers are also not required to wear a face covering by law. However, face coverings offer some benefits in situations where social distancing is difficult to manage. For example, when working in passenger facing roles including when providing assistance to disabled passengers.

Public health advice is that staff wear a face covering when they are unable to maintain social distancing in passenger facing roles, recognising that there will be exceptional circumstances when a staff member cannot wear a face covering, or when their task makes it sensible (based on a risk assessment) for them not to wear a face covering.


Maintaining and disposing of face coverings

Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose.

Once removed, store reusable face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them. If the face covering is single use, dispose of it in a residual waste bin. Do not put them in a recycling bin.

Make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched using normal household cleaning products. If eating in a restaurant, for example, it is important that you do not place the face covering on the table.

Wash your face covering regularly and follow the washing instructions for the fabric. You can use your normal detergent. You can wash and dry it with other laundry. You must throw away your face covering if it is damaged.

Government Guidance