Tell me about mask wearing in London..

[YerAWizardHarry]

We are in Scotland where mask wearing is still pretty much mandatory everywhere. DS and I are coming down to London next week for his birthday celebrations and wondering when mask wearing is essential? On public transport/restaurants/the theatre?

We have tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and Matilda tickets

I’d say it’s about 50/50 we were in London at the weekend, about half the people on the tube and on the train wore masks while the other half either weren’t at all or weren’t wearing them properly (ie nose uncovered). Have to say that it no longer bothers me any more what other people do, I wore a mask on the tube but wouldn’t judge anyone who didn’t.

No one really wears them in my part of London, very unusual to see someone wearing one and no one comments including shop workers/bus drivers etc I would say it’s definitely less than 50/50

You are supposed to wear one on public transport. It's mixed whether people do or not.

You're not required by law to wear one anywhere else, but some theatres/shops ask you to. But, it's still mixed in terms of people who do and don't.

Basically, do whatever makes you comfortable, you won't look out of place either way.

It’s still required on TFL services but not enforced so lots of people don’t seem to bother. It’s quite variable indoors too though that’s probably less surprising as (generally) not mandated.

It's not mandatory here in England. People still choose to but you don't have to if you dont want to.
I dont really mask anywhere anymore since it was lifted . I've not found judgement from anyone

Sadiq Khan would like everyone to still continue to wear a mask on public transport but from what I've seen it's about 50/50 . Even in supermarkets its 50/50 .
Personal choice
Dont know about theatres though but restaurants no mask needed that I've been in

Harry Potter world ask you to wear masks in the studios still and when I went on Sunday 95% of people were.

Khan would like everyone to still continue to wear a mask on public transport but from what I've seen it's about 50/50

Yes he's aware of and concerned about the many vulnerable in London and still hugely under pressure hospitals. The elderly, the poor, the disabled, and certain minority ethnic communities (who have been found in studies to be at increased from Covid). London is a very diverse city.

It's more than he'd like. It's mandatory on TFL - but many people are breaking those safety regulations and unfortunately Sadiq has no legal power to prosecute. In theory they can be asked to leave but because of the risk of a violent response many TFL staff can't do much.

Having said that it's odd that there's less enforcement of the 'personal choice' to not wear a mask on the public transport than the equally personal choice of smoking on public transport. No idea why that is the case.

Anyway on a separate note, I hope you have a lovely time in London OP.

Thank you! I had planned to wear masks on public transport/at theatre but didn’t want to look like a total wally if I was the only one wearing one in a restaurant for example.

We are very excited either way! It’s DS’ first time so looking forward to showing him the sights

Tube about 50%
Bus about 30%
Shops- less than 10%
Restaurants 1%

Went down last week. Was surprised at the lack of masks. Not for ‘compliance’ reasons but more because we all know it’s airborne, and until it’s in low figures government will still mandate as and where. So suck it up and it’s gone for good eventually.

My fave was the guy walking up and down breathing as close as he could to people’s (masked) faces ‘Why are you scared?’

I’ve been on the tube recently and was a bit surprised at how few people were wearing masks.

I mainly travel by bus and it’s about 50/50.

"My fave was the guy walking up and down breathing as close as he could to people’s (masked) faces ‘Why are you scared?’"

That is fucking appalling, and wouid get the (probably shouted) response from us 'cancer - inability to make antibodies - still need to get to treatment so they don't die of that either'

but didn’t want to look like a total wally

You won't look a wally

I’m fed up of hearing that it’s ‘personal choice’. It’s my choice to continue to wear a mask in certain places and on public transport and it’s my choice to refuse to shop in, or go to places that don’t encourage people to continue wearing masks at this time.

I don’t care if anyone thinks I look like a wally. Most people I know continue to wear masks.