Face coverings to be made compulsory in England

[Redolent]

Sky News just reporting that from Friday 24 July it will be mandatory to wear a face mask in shops/stores in England. Fines of £100 if you don’t (reduces to £50 if payable within 2 weeks).

That’s good. Thanks god we don’t have to wear it when we go to the pubs with friends. Cuz we all know that the virus stops at the door of the pub and also we socially distance when meeting friends. And familys.

Ridiculous. So they really think that most the people will be wearing masks properly? Err no, can you imagine teenagers (who in my local shop act awfully telling people to get the f* out of their way, stealing and even spitting on one occasion) are going to wear masks properly if at all?
If they need them to be served they will simply pull their hoodie up over their mouth and claim it’s a face covering.
People won’t be wearing these properly- they will also be littered all over the floors outside shops is my prediction.

this a decision led by social media and it's totally bonkers

Here lies the English High Street. Gone but not forgotten 24 July 2020

RIP

Surely rather than involve the police, shops will just refuse entry to non mask wearers?

@justanotherneighinparadise

I have a feeling mandatory masks will happen and then social distancing will ease.

I was just going to say this. BoJo is desperate for us all to go back to the office and save Pret by buying cappuccinos and sandwiches. So social distancing will have to go.

Good. But why wait 10 days ffs

I suppose they have given people time to get a stash of masks in

I would also like to know if children need them. My kids are 7 & 4 so I’d need to buy them child size ones if they’re going to need them.

... so this comes in at same time gyms & pools reopen -- right? I guess that means must be masked up when going thru reception areas, in changing rooms & maybe communal showers, too?

@Parker231

Surely rather than involve the police, shops will just refuse entry to non mask wearers?

Well yes but the article I read said that shop owners would not be required to enforce it, that would be up to the police

@AlecTrevelyan006

final nail in the coffin for the high street

Exactly what I was thinking.

There are so many different sorts sold in shops around here. Was that in response to demand or did they warn retailers to stock up...

I’m done with shopping then.

This is an entirely political decision based entirely on the need to be seen to be doing something. They’ve totally screwed this up, as usual.

Masks don't seem to have put too many people off going to the hairdressers, so not sure why it will kill off the High Street.

I just hope they're advising reusable masks. Some good saving us all from a pandemic just to kill the planet.

Will there be some way of showing you're exempt?

I've been wearing one when shopping since mid May (when it was first suggested)
I don't enjoy shopping but that's nothing to do with wearing a mask

Do people really think that children will be made to wear them in Senior School? My youngest is due to start Yr7 in September, he won't cope with wearing a mask.

Good! Now we are reopening .. very sensible coupled with distancing

I have tried to be supportive of the government throughout but this really feels like it has been forced through by the media and I am gutted the government have given into the pressure

Good, shielding and vulnerable people will no longer have to be in fear of ignorant prats.
Us humans and our respittory droplets are what spread this virus, control our exhalations and more people will be free to go out safely.

Mumtumwobble under 11's are exempt. Same as public transport.

Children under 11 are exempt according to BBC News.

£100 fine if caught without. £50 if paid within 14 days.

Is this going to apply to retail staff too?