New face mask rules in England have been branded "confusing" and "poorly written" by angry members of the public.
Face coverings are mandatory by law from today in England's shops, supermarkets, takeaways, transport hubs, post offices, banks and indoor shopping centres, to slow the spread of coronavirus.
People with conditions like breathing difficulties, anxiety disorders or autism are exempt - as are children under 11.
And no one is expected to wear face coverings in gyms or sports venues.
Asda, Sainsbury's and Costa Coffee are among retail giants to say they will not enforce new face mask rules.
And many have hit out today, on the first day the new rules have come in, saying that the guidance is unclear.
"I'm not against face masks, I'm against this idiotic poorly written mandatory law," one unimpressed member of the public said.
What are your views on face masks? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
Pauline Mines told Mirror Online: "I won't if I can help it wear a face covering.
"This is a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
"As everything with this Government everything has been done far too late. Boris Johnson won't get my vote next time around it's been an absolute fiasco."
At the Westminster branch of Pret a Manger where several ministers were seen prior to the recess, customer John, 61, said he was happy to wear a face covering but said some of the guidance was unclear.
He told the PA news agency: "I think it's just a matter of getting used to.
"If it does help keep the coronavirus down then I suppose it's worthwhile.
"I mean, people in the far east have been wearing them for ages and they think nothing of it."
He added the Government's guidance on face coverings was "not totally clear" on when they should be worn in coffee shops and takeaways, adding it was clearer for other shops and supermarkets.
He said: "It's not clear, because how do you drink a coffee if you're having to wear a face mask?"
One Twitter user also branded the new rules as confusing.
She said: "I still think the law on who is able to not wear a face mask is so confusing and stupid?
"It says if you have anxiety you don’t have to wear one when 1) it’s not like you carry round a badge saying you have it and 2) people could just say they have it even if they don’t? Which we know happens all the bloody time anyway regardless."
Another said different approaches to when and when you should wear a face mask 'can be confusing'.
One angry member of the public wrote on Twitter: "Look, I'm not against face masks, I'm against this idiotic poorly written mandatory law.
"These arguments and confusing messages all stem from the government making them mandatory in shops.
"Either there mandatory everywhere or nowhere."
Mandy Selleck from Dorchester, Dorset, told Mirror Online she felt people needed guidance on exactly how to use face coverings.
She said: "As a care manager I agree with the decision, however the government should have given everyone instructions on how to deal with your mask/face covering when it is removed.
"I have seen people leave a shop, take it off and either put it in their shopping bag or on the car dashboard therefore transferring any virus particles to those surfaces.
"Similarly people put them on the kitchen work top when they get home.
"People will also re-use masks therefore risking virus contact with their own mouth/nose the next time they put it on.
"If face coverings are the answer to stopping this hideous virus then people need to be told how to use them properly."
Costa Coffee said it would "not be challenging customers" who are not wearing a mask "since they may have a legitimate reason as to why they are unable to wear one".
Sainsbury's said while it is asking everyone to continue "playing their part" in helping to keep everyone safe in store by following the rules, "our colleagues will not be responsible for enforcing them".
Asda said it will "strongly encourage customers to wear a face covering", but added: "It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to police and enforce the new rules."
Police can hand out £100 fines to people who flout the rules, but the College of Policing has said officers "should only be required as a last resort".
The short notice regarding the issuing of guidance on wearing face coverings in shops in England has been defended by a Government minister.
As new regulations come into force on Friday after rules were announced on Thursday, care minister Helen Whately told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, it has been talked about a certain amount over recent days and weeks."
Ms Whately also explained how some people are exempt from the regulations due to health conditions.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What we are saying is that we are not expecting people to carry proof that they are exempt.
"There are some people who are exempt from this.
"We are expecting people to be reasonable about this.
"And we don't want to see members of the public accosted for not wearing a face mask.
"We absolutely want the vast majority of people to be wearing face masks when they are going into shops."
The government has issued a face mask "exemption card" which disabled people can wear to show they don't need to cover up in the shops.
The official card - which follows unofficial versions from charities - was introduced last night after campaigners warned people could face abuse for failing to cover up.
You can download the template for the exemption card or get a PDF to show on your phone here.
The OnePoll study of 1,001 people for the Daily Mirror has found that roughly two-thirds support the new laws – while just one in seven is against.
While most people think wearing face coverings in shops should be mandatory, one in four says it should be voluntary.
The new law is prompting a change in people’s behaviour with half saying they will now wear a face mask in shops when they would previously not have done so.
Over a third say they would have worn a mask when shopping anyway, while one in 25 say they would stop shopping to avoid wearing one. And a rebellious one in 50 claim they will try to shop without one.
