Face mask rules are being made tougher in a bid to fight a rise in Omicron Covid cases in Boris Johnson's 'Plan B' set of restrictions.
Face coverings will now be mandatory in all public indoor areas, the Prime Minister announced on Wednesday night.
The rules on face masks being made more strict come as various other measures are also being introduced including vaccine passports.
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Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be “further extended”, as of Friday, to “most public indoor venues” including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: “There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing.”
The rules on face coverings will apply to:
- Shops and retail
- Public transport
- Leisure facilities such as theatres and cinemas
- Masks can be lowered to eat, drink and exercise, Boris Johnson said, so won't be mandatory during pub trips and restaurant meals once you're seated, initial guidance from Boris Johnson suggested
Why are face masks coming back?
Boris Johnson confirmed it was time to move to “Plan B” of the Government’s coronavirus strategy, with measures including a return to working from home.
He told a Downing Street press conference: “It has become increasingly clear that Omicron is growing much faster than the previous Delta variant and is spreading rapidly all around the world.”
While 568 cases had been confirmed in the UK “the true number is certain to be much higher”.
“Most worryingly, there is evidence that the doubling time of Omicron could currently be between two and three days.”
Vaccine passports will also be introduced as part of the move to Plan B, Boris Johnson announced at a press briefing.
He said: “We will also make the NHS Covid pass mandatory for entry into nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather, including unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.
“The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
“And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient.
“As we set out in Plan B, we will give businesses a week’s notice, so this will come into force in a week’s time, helping to keep these events and venues open at full capacity while giving everyone who attends them confidence that those around them have done the responsible thing to minimise risk to others.”
