People must wear face masks in even more places after the Government expanded its list of places where face coverings are mandatory.
Shoppers faced hefty fines from July 24 if they didn't wear them inside stores and supermarkets, while they already had to be worn on public transport.
As the Liverpool Echo reports, the coverings were made compulsory - unless their was a medical exemption - in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the Government's plans to make face coverings mandatory in a number of locations, including:
- on public transport
- indoor transport hubs including airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals
- shops and supermarkets - places which are open to the public and that wholly or mainly offer goods or services for retail sale or hire
- indoor shopping centres
- banks, building societies and post offices including credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses.
But now the list has been expanded to include more places.
The new rules will come into effect this Saturday, August 8.
From then, members of the public will have to wear a face covering in the following locations:
- funeral directors
- premises providing professional, legal or financial services
- cinemas
- theatres
- bingo halls
- concert halls
- museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, or other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites
- nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers - other than where necessary to remove for treatments
- massage centres
- public areas in hotels and hostels
- places of worship
- libraries and public reading rooms
- community centres
- social clubs
- tattoo and piercing parlours
- indoor entertainment venues - like amusement arcades, funfairs, adventure activities including laser quest, go-karting, escape rooms and heritage sites
- storage and distribution facilities
- veterinary services
- auction houses
The Government recommends face coverings should be worn in these settings now but it will not be mandatory to do so until August 8.
It also encourages people to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
Face coverings are also needed in NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries and they are advised to be worn in care homes.
Individual settings may have their own policies in place and may require you to take other measures.
