Children over the age of two should wear a face covering when in public, the government has said.
Earlier today official guidance was finally released clarifying that people are now advised to cover their faces when out and about.
Everyone aside from babies and toddlers, and those who find it difficult to wear face coverings, should now wear them in public spaces.
The government guidance states: “If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
“A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used as part of personal protective equipment by healthcare and other workers; these supplies should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers and those in industrial settings like those exposed to dust hazards.
“Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of two or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly, for example primary school age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.
"It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.”
This afternoon Prime Minister Boris Johnson clarified that members of the public would not be forced to wear face coverings.
Asked about Londoners being told to wear face coverings on buses, trains and Tubes by transport bosses in the capital, the PM said people cannot be forced.
Mr Johnson told the House of Commons: “We’re certainly not compelling people to wear face coverings.”
However he said they were helpful to protect others as the coronavirus is passed through air droplets.
The Prime Minister tried to emphasis that the lockdown is far from over during a speech in the House of Commons this afternoon.
He said: “We have begun our descent from the peak of the pandemic but our journey has reached the most perilous moment.”
Mr Johnson urged Brits to continue to play their part and follow the rules.
The situation in care homes is improving, but a vast amount more is to be done, the PM said.
Mr Johnson added the government is also working on a ‘world leading’ system to track and trace new infections, as the UK aims to test hundreds of thousands a day.
He said the government has a “supremely difficult balance to strike” and suggested divergence in different parts of the UK should be short term.
The government have released a guide showing how to make face coverings at home, which can be found here.
