Covid: With the return of mask-wearing rules in England, what exactly is the law? | Corona Virus

[ad_1]

As part of targeted measures to prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron, from 4am on November 30, people in England will be required by law to wear a face covering in certain places.

Downing Street said the measure will be presented as a precaution while more information is collected and assessed on the transmissibility of the variant and any potential impact on Covid-19 vaccines.

Face coverings are mandatory in stores and places such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport, unless individuals are exempted. Hospitality settings are exempt from the rules, except for takeaways that do not display the consumption of food or beverages on the premises.

Boris Johnson said: “The actions being taken today are proportionate and responsible, and will buy us time in the face of this new alternative. Based on everything we know, our vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defense, so it is more important than ever that people step up when they are eligible. to get reinforcement.

“Today’s steps will not only help us slow the spread of the variable, but they will help us protect each other and the gains we’ve all worked so hard for.”

Measures will be reviewed within three weeks.

Where you will have to wear a face covering

The new rule applies to:

All public transportation, including taxis and private rental vehicles, transportation hubs (airports, railway stations, tram stations, stations, seaports and stations, bus and coach stations and terminals)

Shops, supermarkets, places in general that offer goods or services for retail sale or rental, indoor malls, and indoor markets.

Takeaway with no eating or drinking space on the premises.

Places that offer personal care and beauty treatments such as barbershops, barbershops, nail salons, massage and tattoo centers, and piercing studios.

Auction houses and retail galleries.

Post offices.

Banks, building societies, prominent lawyers and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs, and money service companies.

Real estate agents, rentals and retail travel agents.

pharmacies

Veterinarians.

Masks must also be worn during driving lessons and driving tests.

Where you don’t have to wear a face covering

All hospitality venues are exempt, including bars, restaurants, cafes, canteens, pubs, restaurants, bars in hotels or members’ clubs, and hookah cafes.

Photography studios, as well as buildings other than registered pharmacies that provide medical or dental services, audiology, chiropractic, orthopedic, optometry, or other medical services including mental health services are also excluded.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

People not wearing a face covering can be fined as they have to pay a fine in the form of a fixed fine notice and pay £200, rising to £400 for a second such offence, and up to £800 for a third, up to a maximum of £6,400 In the case of the sixth and subsequent notices of the fixed fine.

Who will monitor this new law?

The new requirement to wear a face covering in certain places may be imposed by a policeman, a police community support officer, a TfL officer, public transport operator employees, or any person designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this regulation.

Such persons may direct any person to wear a face covering or direct that person to leave the relevant place, and in case the person does not comply with the direction given to him by a policeman, the policeman may remove him from the relevant place.

Prosecutions for an offense under these new regulations may be brought by the Royal Prosecution Service, London Transport or such other person as may be designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of these regulations.

All contacts of suspected OMICRON cases, regardless of age or vaccination status, should be isolated. Downing Street said they will be contacted via NHS testing and tracing.

The face mask expires at the end of December 20, 2021.

[ad_2]