So the real world eases lockdowns whereas in my word.....

[ThornAmongstRoses]

.....I have to wear a mask outside.

My boss has just called me to say that as of next week we all have to wear masks from the minute we step out of our cars.

The walk to where I am based is about a minute from the car park and even though I will be outside and walking alone I still have to wear a mask.

I remember when we used to joke about this crazy scenario happening.....never believing it actually would.

What next I wonder.

It’s not mandatory to wear a mask outside so
I’m not sure how enforceable this is. Seems a bit silly at this point when NHS staff have been vaccinated in large numbers!

@SunHoldsTime

We been told now to wear two masks at all times outside here in the US. It's really not a big deal, not sure why the U.K. is so weird and precious about mask wearing.

This

Well, they can hardly introduce individual rules for each employee if their concern is that in some outside places at busier times there are people passing, or that they don't want bottlenecks forming around doorways to put masks on.

Maybe it's so that HCPs can set a good example to members of the public who might be around on hospital grounds and remind them to mask up before entering the building? I'm an NHS worker and wouldn't have an issue with it on those grounds

People have gone off their heads, and looks like your boss is one of them.

Only to be expected after locking people up for a year, with a Death Counter displayed on TV everyday, I suppose.

I’m not sure how enforceable this is. Seems a bit silly at this point when NHS staff have been vaccinated in large numbers!

Good point.

Vaccinated staff have to wear masks in empty car parks, but potentially unvaccinated people (visitors or those having outpatient appointments) can walk on the grounds unmasked in their hordes.

Maybe it's so that HCPs can set a good example to members of the public who might be around on hospital grounds and remind them to mask up before entering the building?

Not many public members around at 6.45am.

And even if there were, we are all in our own clothes, not uniforms, so they’d have no idea we were HCPs.

People have gone off their heads, and looks like your boss is one of them.

In their defence, they are just the messengers - the rule has come from the very top of the Trust.

@RealisticSketch

And there are lots of people in the USA who have taken issue with masks, so the implication the UK is mask averse compared to the USA is daft. Both countries have had their fair share of resistance to them.

Sure the crazies down south and in Florida talk about muzzles etc

Lots of people living down south - sorry you don't get to disclaim them!

@ThornAmongstRoses

People have gone off their heads, and looks like your boss is one of them.

In their defence, they are just the messengers - the rule has come from the very top of the Trust.

Maybe they are just making it a blanket rule and haven't thought about people starting work early.

This is the rule in my local hospital- all staff and visitors MUST wear a mask, at all times, on the premises (so grounds, car parks etc) - unless exempt-
It's daft but it's the rule.