Masks will be compulsory in more places and with tougher fines to back up the rules from today.
As of Thursday, September 24, anyone caught not wearing a mask without good reason in places including pubs, shops and taxis could be hit with a £200 fine.
The change, which will see a number of previously exempt employees order to cover their faces, comes as part of a raft of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of Covid-19, announced by Boris Johnson on Tuesday.
It includes a big change for pub and restaurant customers, who have previously been allowed to go without a mask.
Where do you have to wear masks?
Bar staff, shop workers, waiters and taxi drivers in England will now be told to wear a face covering by law.
Previously, while customers had to wear masks in these settings, workers were exempt.
People will now also have to wear masks in pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes when not actually seated at their tables.
The full list of places where you have to wear masks, including the new additions, is:
- public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses)
- taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs)
- transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
- shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
- shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
- auction houses
- premises providing hospitality (bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes), except when seated at a table to eat or drink (see exemptions) from 24 September
- post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
- premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)
- premises providing veterinary services
- visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, aquariums, indoor zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, indoor sports stadiums, funfairs, theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)
- libraries and public reading rooms
- places of worship
- funeral service providers (funeral homes, crematoria and burial ground chapels)
- community centres, youth centres and social clubs
- exhibition halls and conference centres
- public areas in hotels and hostels
- storage and distribution facilities
What are the fines for breaking the rules?
Fines for not wearing a face covering will now double to £200 for a first offence.
And businesses will be fined up to £10,000 if they breach the Covid restrictions.
