Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has backed calls to make face coverings in shops compulsory as pressure mounts on the government to bring in stronger rule s.
England is an outlier compared to most countries across the globe that are suffering coronavirus outbreaks in that wearing facial coverings in shops remains optional.
The vast majority of other countries now have rules enforcing the wearing of a mask or face covering in enclosed spaces where there is a higher risk of social distancing not being maintained.
It is thought that Prime Minister Boris Johnson could announce new rules on face coverings within days, having said that people "should be wearing them" when shopping.
He said a decision on whether "tools of enforcement" were necessary would be made in the next few days.
Metro Mayor Rotheram has already backed calls to make masks compulsory, saying mixed messaging was hammering uptake in mask wearing.
In a tweet this morning, Metro Mayor Rotheram said: "Wearing a face mask helps protect yourself and others but mixed messaging from government means less than a third of us are regularly covering our faces in public.
Enter your postcode for updates from where you live
"It is time to make face coverings compulsory in indoor public spaces."
While senior political figures have said masks should be worn in shops some, like cabinet minister Michael Gove, have said they should not be made compulsory.
