Should wearing masks be made compulsory in public?

[MenInG]

US president Donald Trump has appeared in public wearing a mask for the first time during a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, where he was set to meet wounded soldiers and front-line health care workers.

 

[Buffet]

US president Donald Trump has appeared in public wearing a mask for the first time during a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, where he was set to meet wounded soldiers and front-line health care workers.

He should have done it from the get go. That would have saved many lives.

 

[MenInG]

US President Donald Trump has worn a mask in public for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The president was visiting the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington, where he met wounded soldiers and health care workers.

"I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place," he said as he left the White House.

He has previously said that he would not wear a mask and mocked Democratic rival Joe Biden for doing so.

But on Saturday he said: "I think when you're in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you're talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it's a great thing to wear a mask."

The change of tone came as the US recorded 66,528 coronavirus cases on Saturday, a new daily record.

Speaking to Fox Business Network last week, Mr Trump said: "I'm all for masks."

He added that he "sort of liked" how he looked with one on, likening himself to the Lone Ranger, a fictional masked hero who with his Native American friend, Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.

Why we should all be wearing face masks

But when the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in April began recommending people wear masks or cloth coverings in public to help stop the spread of the virus, Mr Trump told reporters he would not follow the practice.

"I don't think I'm going to be doing it," he said back then. "Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens - I just don't see it."

Some media reports have suggested aides have repeatedly asked the president to wear one in public.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal last month, Mr Trump suggested some people might wear masks to signal disapproval of him.

He also said he took issue with people touching their faces after taking their mask off.

"They put their finger on the mask, and they take them off, and then they start touching their eyes and touching their nose and their mouth. And then they don't know how they caught it?" he said.

The US has seen another 66,528 infections in the past 24 hours, a record for one day, and a total of almost 135,000 deaths since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Louisiana has become the latest state to order that masks be worn in public.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards also ordered the closure of bars across Louisiana, and tightened restrictions on restaurants, which will no longer be able to serve customers inside. The measures come into effect on Monday.

State Republican lawmakers are expected to oppose the move.

"If you don't like the mask mandate, then don't like it while you wear your mask," Governor Edwards said. "If you want to be mad at me about it, then be mad at me about it."

Neighbouring Texas has recorded another rise of coronavirus infections, with a record 10,500 new cases recorded on Saturday.

The governor of South Carolina has issued an order banning sales of alcohol after 23:00 in bars and restaurants to try to stop the spread of the virus.

A court in Indiana has halted the execution of a convicted killer as the victim's relatives said they were worried about travelling during the pandemic to watch him die. Daniel Lee was set to be executed on Monday in what would have been the first federal execution in 17 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53378439

 

[MenInG]

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly criticised “people who do not even do something as simple as wearing a mask”, saying he was “ashamed” of this behaviour.

His comments came as he urged citizens to help curb a resurgence of the virus.

Iran has seen a second rise in cases with daily recorded deaths reaching new highs. A further 194 deaths and 2,186 cases were announced on Sunday.

Khamenei called the resurgence “truly tragic” in a video conference on Sunday, AFP news agency reports.

More than 12,600 people have died with Covid-19 in Iran since the outbreak began, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The country warned on Saturday that its economy could not afford another shutdown.

 

[Firebat]

PM Boris Johnson says face masks ‘should be worn’ in shops

Boris Johnson has said people in England "should be wearing" face masks or other coverings inside shops to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The prime minister said the government would decide in the next few days if "tools of enforcement" were needed.

The comments follow cabinet minister Michael Gove telling the BBC on Sunday that face coverings should not become mandatory in shops in England.

Labour has demanded "urgent clarity" from the government on the issue.

Face coverings are worn to help prevent wearers spreading coronavirus, rather than catching it.

Currently, they are compulsory on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and the Welsh government has announced it will enforce the same measure from 27 July.

In Scotland, coverings are also mandatory in shops, but critics have complained that the situation in England needs to be made easier for the public to understand.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says masks or homemade cloth face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets.

It changed its advice last month, having previously argued there was not enough scientific evidence to say that healthy people should use them.

Visiting ambulance staff in central London, Mr Johnson, whose government controls health policy in England but not the rest of the UK, said: "I think people should be wearing [face masks] in shops.

"And, in terms of how we do that whether we make it mandatory or not, we'll be looking at the guidance - we'll be seeing a little bit more in the next few days."

Mr Johnson added: "Throughout this crisis people have shown amazing sensitivity towards other people and understanding of the needs to get the virus down by doing things cooperatively.

"Wearing masks is one of them... It's a mutual thing; people do see the value of it. We'll be looking in the next few days about exactly how - with what tools of enforcement - we think we want to make progress."

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53388444

 

[The Viper]

Coronavirus: Face coverings in England's shops to be compulsory from 24 July

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July.

Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to £100, the government is to announce.

The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany.

Since mid-May, the public have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may encounter people they would not usually meet.

It has been compulsory on public transport since 15 June.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to set out the new guidance on face coverings on Tuesday.

They are designed to minimise the spread of coronavirus and also encourage people to return to the shops safely.

The announcement follows confusion about the government's intentions in recent days, with a senior minister suggesting on Sunday that people should use their "common sense" rather than being compelled to cover up.

Labour said ministers' response had been "slow and muddled" and questioned why the new rules would not come into force for 11 days.

Penalties
The rules will be enforced by the police, with anyone disregarding them at risk of a fine of up to £100. This will be reduced to £50 if people pay within 14 days.

While shop workers will be encouraged to prompt customers to comply, they will not be expected to enforce the rules, allaying unions' concerns about their involvement.

In line with the rules on public transport, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.

In Scotland, the use of coverings in shops has been mandatory since 10 July. Shoppers in Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently required to wear them, although both nations have said this will be kept under review.

Boris Johnson signalled a shift in the government's position on Friday when he spoke of the need for a stricter approach in confined settings and was pictured wearing a mask in a shop in his Uxbridge constituency.

But in a BBC interview on Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove downplayed the suggestion of any immediate legal change, saying he believed it should merely be a matter of "courtesy and good manners" to cover up.

Asked whether it should become mandatory, he replied "I don't think so, no".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53397617

 

[MenInG]

In the past few days, both US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been seen wearing masks in public for the first time.

It's a dramatic turnaround - Mr Trump previously mocked others for wearing masks, and suggested some might wear such personal protective equipment to show their disapproval of him, even after the US Centers for Disease Control recommended face coverings.

Meanwhile, the UK government was initially reluctant to advise the general public to wear face coverings, even as other countries in Europe did.

It introduced rules requiring people to wear face coverings on public transport in June, and now says people in England must wear face coverings in shops or face a fine.

 

[MenInG]

Absolutely pathetic how the UK govt is dragging its feet on use of masks.

 

[The Viper]

Do people with asthma have to wear masks?

Keith Horton, from Newcastle, has chronic asthma which hampers his breathing, so cannot wear a mask.

He says new rules making people wear face coverings in shops would be "stressful" for him, and fears being penalised by shopkeepers and other patrons for not wearing one.

"My nose runs constantly and I can't breathe when I put [a mask] on, I get into a panic. I don't want people to approach me asking why I'm not wearing one. All I want to do is do a bit of shopping without being hassled," the 68-year-old said.

Mr Horton urged people to "think" before challenging someone for not wearing a face covering, as "you can't see asthma" and many other underlying health conditions.

The government has released guidance on groups who do not need to wear a mask in shops or on public transport.

Asthma UK recommends that people with asthma try a mask at home, or do a short walk with one, before wearing them in shops.

If it makes it harder to breathe, people with asthma do not have to wear them, it says.

 

[The Viper]

U.S. CDC head says mask-wearing could get COVID-19 under control within 4-8 weeks

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said on Tuesday that if all Americans wore a mask, the rising cases of COVID-19 could be under control within four to eight weeks.

Redfield was speaking in an online interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, a medical publication.

“I think if we can get everyone to wear masks right now, we can bring this under control within four, six, eight weeks,” Redfield said.

The CDC director also said wearing a mask was a public health issue and that he was “sad” to see it become so politicized.

“I am glad to see the president and vice president wear a mask. Clearly, in their situation they could easily justify they don’t need to ... but we need for them to set the example,” Redfield said.

The CDC said in a publication released on Tuesday that most Americans wore cloth face-coverings after the government recommended their use in April.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-h...r-control-within-4-8-weeks-idUKKCN24F2PO?il=0

 

[MenInG]

US police shoot man 'involved in mask stabbing'

The debate over wearing masks to prevent infections rumbles on in the US, with no shortage of disputes breaking out between advocates and opponents posted on social media.

And on Wednesday, a police officer in Michigan shot dead a man who was suspected of stabbing a customer in a shop hours earlier in an altercation over face masks.

Police say the incident began in a convenience store near Lansing, where the suspect - named as Sean Ruis - attacked a 77-year-old man who had challenged him for not wearing a mask.

Police say Ruis, 43, was carrying a weapon. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead.

 

[MenInG]

While most US states are enforcing the wearing of masks, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order late on Wednesday suspending local face-mask regulations.

The regulation stops mayors from requiring residents to wear face coverings and other personal protective equipment.

Despite the move, Kemp said he “strongly encouraged” people to wear masks.

A number of cities in the state, including Atlanta and Savannah, had introduced mask wearing policies as the number of cases continued to rise.

On Thursday, there were 3,441 new cases of the virus in Georgia, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

[MenInG]

US President Donald Trump has vowed not to order Americans to wear masks to contain the spread of coronavirus.

His comments came after the country's top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, urged state and local leaders to be "as forceful as possible" in getting people to wear masks.

Wearing face coverings, Dr Fauci added, is "really important" and "we should be using them, everyone".

The wearing of face coverings has become highly politicised in the US.

The majority of state governors have now ordered that the wearing of masks outdoors be mandatory, rather than a personal choice. Among them are Republican governors, including Kay Ivey of Alabama, who have reversed their initial opposition to the mandates.

President Trump, who had previously resisted wearing a face covering himself, wore a mask in public for the first time last Saturday.

But speaking to Fox News on Friday, Mr Trump said he didn't agree with a national mask mandate, saying people should have a "certain freedom".

Earlier this week, US public health body the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement urging everyone to wear masks.

"We are not defenceless against COVID-19," CDC Director Dr Robert R Redfield said. "Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus - particularly when used universally within a community setting."

In the southern state of Georgia, Republican governor Brian Kemp has urged residents to wear masks for the next month.

Mr Kemp made the appeal to the state's residents despite taking legal action a day earlier against the mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, for making face coverings mandatory in the city.

Ms Bottoms has herself tested positive for coronavirus.

Oklahoma City officials are also considering a city-wide indoor mask requirement, in the absence of a state-wide mandate.

Which states are seeing a surge in infections?
A number of US states, primarily southern states, are experiencing a surge in confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Hundreds of military medical staff have been deployed in Texas and California to help officials cope with new Covid-19 cases, and in Texas and Arizona, cooler trucks have been sent in to help store dead bodies.

In recent weeks, overwhelmed hospitals in Florida have also reported that their ICUs are at full capacity and that they cannot accept any more patients.

And some cities and states are struggling with the high demand for coronavirus tests.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, people who suspect that they have been exposed to the virus are being told to isolate at home for 14 days instead of going into testing centres, while Hawaii is keeping its two-week quarantine for incoming visitors for at least another month, because of a shortage in the supply of tests.

What about schools?
Meanwhile millions of children, including in the two most populous states Texas and California, have been told they won't be going back to school for the new academic year.

Education, and the matter of when to reopen schools, is another issue that has become highly politicised.

New CDC guidance on reopening schools was due to be released this week, but US media reports that it has been delayed.

The US continues to remain at the epicentre of the global pandemic. There are now more than 3.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US, and there have been more than 139,000 deaths - the highest death toll in the world.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53453468

 

[The Viper]

Masks mandatory as cases rise in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has made it mandatory to wear masks on public transport, in indoor areas and passenger terminals.

The measures will last until August 5 as the city tries to break the transmission of local infections.

Hong Kong has recorded 2,019 infections with 14 deaths. On Tuesday, it reported 58 cases, 25 of them from an unknown source.

The city's Health Minister Sophia Chan is appealing to people to stay at home as much as possible, saying Hong Kong is at a high risk of a community outbreak. [Source - AlJazeera]

 

[The Viper]

Ministers urged to end face coverings 'confusion'

The government has been accused of mixed messaging by trade bodies and opposition MPs over where people will have to wear face coverings when new rules come into force.

They will be compulsory in shops in England from Friday - with the full guidance expected to be published this afternoon.

Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis said face coverings would be mandatory when purchasing takeaway food and drink, but not if you are eating at the premises.

However, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said this contradicted what the industry had previously been told by the government and it was "very late in the day" for this to be confirmed.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last week: "If there's table service, it is not necessary to have a mask. But in any shop, you do need a mask. So, if you're going up to the counter in Pret to buy takeaway that is a shop."

But that was later contradicted by the prime minister's spokesman, who said: "My understanding is that it wouldn't be mandatory if you went in, for example, to a sandwich shop in order to get a takeaway to wear a face covering."

Meanwhile, ministers in Northern Ireland are set to discuss how to significantly increase the wearing of face coverings inside shops

 

[MenInG]

UK health minister Helen Whately says she anticipates “the vast majority of people” will follow the rules and wear face coverings after they became compulsory in enclosed public spaces in England from today.

Police can hand out fines of up to £100 ($127) to those who do not comply but Whately doesn’t expect the police will need to get involved.

She told the BBC: "I'm not expecting the police to be called whenever somebody is not wearing a face mask. Clearly that would be inappropriate."

She added: "We know that people actually will act responsibly and will wear face masks."

There are exemptions to the new rules for children under 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.

Whately said the government didn't expect people who were exempt to have to carry proof of that, adding: “We are expecting people to be reasonable about this and we don’t want to see members of the public accosted for not wearing a face mask."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-53522389

 

[MenInG]

The US House of Representatives has ordered all members and staff to wear masks as the nation's death toll from coronavirus passed 150,000.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned anyone who breaks the new rule faces being removed from the chamber.

She took the decision after Louie Gohmert, a Texas Republican often seen around the Capitol without a face covering, tested positive on Wednesday.

He had been due to travel that day with US President Donald Trump.

What did the House speaker say?

Mrs Pelosi, a California Democrat, said on the House floor on Wednesday evening that members would be allowed to remove their masks when addressing the chamber.

"The chair expects all members and staff to adhere to this requirement as a sign of respect for the health, safety, and wellbeing of others present in the chamber and surrounding areas," she said.

Mrs Pelosi said she would view "failure to wear a mask as a serious breach of decorum", warning the House Sergeant at Arms could kick out anyone who did not wear a mask.

According to GovTrack.us, 10 members of Congress - three Democrats and seven Republicans - have confirmed they tested positive, or were diagnosed with coronavirus.

Mr Gohmert, 66, discovered he was infected when he was routinely tested under White House travel protocol because he had been due to fly with President Trump to Texas on Wednesday.

The eighth-term lawmaker returned to his office to inform his staff in person of the positive result. He wore a mask during the meeting, according to US media.

He also gave an interview in which he pondered whether his mask was to blame for infecting him.

"I can't help but wonder if by keeping a mask on and keeping it in place, I might have put some germs - some virus - on to the mask and breathed it in," he told Texas station KETK.

He was one of a contingent of around two dozen Republicans often seen on the House floor without masks.

On Tuesday, Mr Gohmert frequently removed his face covering during a nearly five-hour hearing with Attorney General William Barr.

A photo on Twitter shows the two men in proximity, neither wearing masks. According to the Department of Justice, Mr Barr will be tested for Covid-19 as a result of the interaction.

Despite mixed messages early in the pandemic, public health experts now agree that wearing face coverings greatly reduces the spread of Covid-19, and is vital to controlling the infection's spread.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53588843

 

[MenInG]

Obituary of Texas father goes viral after his family slam politicans and anti-maskers

An emotional obituary of a man in the US who died of coronavirus has gone viral after his family hit out at politicians for failing to take the pandemic seriously.

The obituary claims that politicians were more concerned “with their popularity and votes than lives”.

David W Nagy died aged 79 in Texas on 22 July. He was being treated in the intensive care unit of the Christus Good Shepherd Hospital.

His family members also hit out at “ignorant” people who refuse to follow medical advice and “believe in their right not to wear a mask”.

The obituary was fact checked by Scopes, who spoke with Nagy’s wife Stephanie. She confirmed she wrote the obituary, which was published in a local news outlet that does not appear to have a website.

More than 155,000 people have died in the US and more than 4.7m cases have been confirmed.

 

[MenInG]

Trump attacks Biden on call for mask mandate

United States President Donald Trump attacked his rival, Joe Biden, for calling on governors to mandate face coverings in public for the next three months.

"We do not need to bring the full weight of the federal government down on law-abiding Americans to accomplish this goal. Americans must have their freedoms," said Trump.

"I trust the American people and their governors very much. I trust the American people. And the governors want to do the right thing to make the smart decisions. And Joe doesn't."

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Video shows the horrendous amount of droplets we spew out when we don't wear masks <a href="https://t.co/ob61RArFxJ">pic.twitter.com/ob61RArFxJ</a></p>— Mashable (@mashable) <a href="https://twitter.com/mashable/status/1296134079608426496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Wear masks if you're 12 or over - WHO

The World Health Organization has updated its guidance to recommend children aged 12 and above wear face masks.

The new advice says those aged 12 and over "should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a one-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area".

Younger children could be asked to wear face coverings depending on the situation, the guidance adds, but in general children aged five and under "should not be required to wear masks".

The WHO said people should always consult and follow local rules on masks.

 

[Firebat]

Masks in Paris mandatory from Friday morning

From 08:00 on Friday (06:00 GMT), anyone out in public in the French capital will be required to wear a face covering. This will include people on bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and a variety of other mobility vehicles, Paris's mayor has announced.

Individual streets and areas in Paris already had rules on wearing face coverings, but the new rules extend to the city's inner ring of Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine and Val-de-Marne.

France has seen a surge of Covid-19 cases across the country and Prime Minister Jean Castex has promised to do everything to avoid another widespread lockdown, including increased testing.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Ive stopped wearing face masks inc in shops or other public places.

If you are in the UK and feel wearing masks is problamtic you can become expempt, see link below.

Contents

What a face covering is
When to wear a face covering
When you do not need to wear a face covering
The reason for using face coverings
How to wear a face covering
Face coverings at work
Buying and selling face coverings
Making your own face covering
Maintaining and disposing of face coverings

The government has published the ‘COVID-19 response – spring 2021’ setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. This explains how restrictions will be eased over time.

Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do changed on 29 March. However, many restrictions remain in place.

This page explains:

what face coverings are
how face coverings can reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19)
the settings in which they need to be worn
how face coverings should be safely used and stored

This information is based on current scientific evidence and is subject to change.

This information relates to the use of face coverings in public spaces where social distancing is not always possible. It is important to follow all the other government advice on coronavirus (COVID-19), including staying safe outside your home.
What a face covering is

In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth.

There are many types of face coverings available. Cloth face coverings and disposable face coverings work best if they are made with multiple layers (at least 2) and form a good fit around the face. Face coverings should be made of a material that you find comfortable and breathable, such as cotton. Bandanas or religious garments may be used but are likely to be less effective if they do not fit securely around the face.

Face coverings are not classified as PPE (personal protective equipment) which is used in a limited number of settings to protect wearers against hazards and risks, such as surgical masks or respirators used in medical and industrial settings.

Face coverings are instead largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

If you wish to find out more about the differences between surgical face masks, PPE face masks, and face coverings see the MHRA’s (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) regulatory status of equipment being used to help prevent coronavirus (COVID-19).
Face visors, shields and transparent face coverings

A face visor or shield may be worn in addition to a face covering but not instead of one. This is because face visors or shields do not adequately cover the nose and mouth, and do not filter airborne particles.

Transparent face coverings may be worn by those who communicate through lip-reading or facial expressions. However, their effectiveness is not supported by evidence so the government does not recommend their use by the wider public at this time. In order to be most effective, a face covering should fit securely around the face to cover the nose and mouth, and be made of a breathable material capable of filtering airborne particles.
When to wear a face covering

There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse (see When you do not need to wear a face covering below).

You can find out more about the different rules across the UK on the relevant regional websites:

Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales

In England you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (examples are given in brackets):

public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses)
taxis and private hire vehicles
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)
post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
estate and lettings agents
theatres
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

You are expected to wear a face covering before entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it.

You should also wear a face covering in indoor places not listed here where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Face coverings are needed in NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They are also advised to be worn in care homes.

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings for schools and other education institutions that teach people in year 7 and above in England.
Enforcement measures for failing to comply with this law

Premises where face coverings are required should take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law.

The police can take measures if members of the public do not comply with this law without a valid exemption and transport operators can deny access to their public transport services if a passenger is not wearing a face covering, or direct them to wear one or leave a service.

If necessary the police and Transport for London (TfL) officers have enforcement powers, including issuing fines of £200 (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) for the first offence.

Repeat offenders receiving fines on public transport or in an indoor setting will have their fines doubled at each offence.

After the first offence there will be no discount. For example, receiving a second fine will amount to £400 and a third fine will be £800, up to a maximum value of £6,400.
When you do not need to wear a face covering

In settings where face coverings are required in England there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering.

Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.

This includes (but is not limited to):

children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public

There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering:

if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, for assessing health recommendations (for example by a pharmacist) or for age identification purposes, including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
if required in order to receive treatment or services, for example when getting a facial
in order to take medication
if you are delivering a sermon or prayer in a place of worship
if you are the persons getting married in a relevant place
if you are undertaking exercise or an activity and it would negatively impact your ability to do so
if you are an elite sports person, professional dancer or referee acting in the course of your employment
when seated to eat or drink in a hospitality premise such as a pub, bar, restaurant or cafe. You must put a face covering back on once you finish eating or drinking

Exemption cards

If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:

you do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this
you do not need show an exemption card

This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.

However, some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and is not required by law.

If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download exemption card templates. You can then print these yourself or show them on a mobile device. Please note that the government is not able to provide physical exemption cards or badges.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of these templates in a more accessible format, please email publiccorrespondence@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please say what format you need the template in and what assistive technology you use.

For exemptions in different parts of the UK please refer to the specific guidance for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ngs-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own