Brits who refuse to wear face masks in shops and on public transport risk facing a huge fine from tomorrow.
Boris Johnson reintroduced compulsory face mask rules to help fight the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.
The new rules will enforce a fine of £200 for the first offence which will only increase with repeated flouters.
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The second offence will cost £400, a third time will result in £800 with a maximum fine of up to £6,400.
But there are some exceptions to the rules.
People working in the hospitality sector such as restaurants, pubs, concerts or events will not have to wear a mask.
MPs can also not be forced to wear masks in the House of Commons.
Rules are also different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - masks are already required in certain settings in these regions.
It comes amid a wave of new and stricter rules to help combat the new Omicron variant which has resulted in nine cases already.
The Prime Minister told a Downing Street news briefing: "We need to slow down the spread of this variant here in the UK.
"In addition to the measures we are already taking, we will require all contacts of those who test positive with a suspected case of Omicron to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of your vaccination status.
"We will also go further in asking all of you to help contain the spread of this variant by tightening up the rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport."
Similarly, Health Secretary Sajid Javid defended the new system.
He told Sky News: "Doing it in this proportionate way where it's for public transport, it's for retail outlets, I think is the right level of response on masks.
“It will be via government regulation and that means, I think, that people will take it seriously."
The move has been met with criticism, with some noting it could be difficult to enforce.
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, told The Telegraph it would be train workers who would be left to deal with angry passengers who did not want to wear masks.
He said: "We support the wearing of masks but there are major issues about enforcement and it is our members left in the front line with angry passengers who refuse to comply."
There are also questions as to why it's only being enforced to specific sectors.
James Lowman, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "We are helping retailers to prepare for the change in face-covering rules, but they are extremely concerned about abuse against their staff from customers who don't want to wear a face-covering in a shop.
"We will continue to urge stores to communicate the rules, but not to challenge those who refuse to abide by the rules."
The exact details of the new rules are expected to be set out within the next day or so.
