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Original poster

Is it no masks by law but you can if you want in ALL settings?

31 replies

undertheseariel · 05/07/2021 18:36

I didn't quite catch the wording but saw on sky that they're saying it's not law you have to wear masks in any setting (after the 19th)

Does this mean employers can't enforce, they can just recommend? I'm thinking hospitals / public transport workers etc.

I'm not saying anyone should or would, I'm just curious as to whether anyone can continue to be told they have to if they didn't want to.

Hope that makes sense!

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 05/07/2021 18:44

No. It means that it won't be obligatory to wear one where currently it is. But obviously private places can still make you. The bakery down the road, or the easyJet flight etc can still refuse you entry.
At least that's how I've understood it.

lljkk · 05/07/2021 18:53

no setting? Not even care homes, on airplanes or in hospitals? Wow.

Spodge · 05/07/2021 18:58

Not sure, but my hair salon has just announced that all of their staff will be wearing masks for the foreseeable future. It has not been made clear whether the staff all want to wear masks or whether they are being forced to.

Original poster
undertheseariel · 05/07/2021 19:10

@Spodge

Not sure, but my hair salon has just announced that all of their staff will be wearing masks for the foreseeable future. It has not been made clear whether the staff all want to wear masks or whether they are being forced to.
Yes, that's what I mean really.

I assumed the rule would be that masks can be dropped (unless you want to wear them) apart from settings such as hospitals, close care like hairdressers etc. But the news seem to suggest it's not law you have to wear them in any setting.

If it's not 'law' can public sector (when government is the employer) still make you??!! I appreciate private sector might make it a condition of employment.

OP posts:
RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 05/07/2021 19:22

What angle are you coming at this from? You want to, or don't want to?

Imnothereforthedrama · 05/07/2021 19:32

Tbh places only ask you to wear one becyit’s mandatory if it’s no longer mandatory why would they say you need to wear one ? .
If I go somewhere and they ask me to wear one I will but they haven’t got that argument anymore oh I’ll get fined so please where one . Like hairdressers for example it maybe just personal choice you can refuse but they can refuse customer if they feel strongly about it . I suspect those that say we want you to wear a mask will drop off after a bit , they will tire of asking people and I bet they’ll be a few that will go why we don’t have to anymore.

undertheblue · 05/07/2021 19:37

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

What angle are you coming at this from? You want to, or don't want to?
I don't know tbh!

I work in a hospital and we've all assumed that any mask dropping wouldn't apply to us and if anything, we'll be wearing them for the next 20 years (which everyone is ☹️ about). I'm surprised health and social care didn't get a specific caveat and wasn't expecting it.

Seeing the news has just got me wondering what will happen at work. Will we be told we have to wear them anyway? Even though Boris is effectively our boss 🤣

I'd definitely still wear them for close care but I'd like to stop when walking in the empty corridors or in clinic when I'm always over 2m away etc.

Vivana · 05/07/2021 19:40

I hope I don't have to carry on wearing one. We're all fully vaccinated and the residents are and we're tested 3 times a week. Wearing masks for 12 hour shifts is not nice at all.

HeyManIJustWantSomeMuesli · 05/07/2021 19:42

I think he said they should be worn in care homes (and possibly medical settings?) for a while longer.

I wonder how it'll work if your employer wants you to but you don't want to in, say, an office or shop setting.

wonderstuff123 · 05/07/2021 19:59

Following as I'm a healthcare student on final year placement in the community. Currently wearing apron,gloves,mask and visor to visits with people.

0None0 · 05/07/2021 20:05

They have said it will no longer be enforced by the police, but they are relying on the common sense and intelligence of the public to behave responsibly and wear one when necessary

SonnetForSpring · 05/07/2021 20:08

I'd be very surprised if health care workers are allowed to stop wearing masks. That would just be irresponsible around vulnerable people.

Lemonmelonsun · 05/07/2021 20:10

My only motivation to wear a mask is to protect others from me? But a room full of maskelsss people breathing at me?

The point??
Unfortunately people are selfish.. They won't open windows, doors or wear masks.

dreamingbohemian · 05/07/2021 20:11

Your employer can make you wear a uniform, I assume they can make you wear a mask.

Finfintytint · 05/07/2021 20:15

Transport and retail will still endure face coverings. I will have to wear a mask at work until March next year.

knittingaddict · 05/07/2021 20:19

Name change fail op?

Itstheprinciple · 05/07/2021 20:43

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

What angle are you coming at this from? You want to, or don't want to?
Does it matter?
screwcovid · 05/07/2021 20:51

I won't be going anywhere that requires a mask saying that I would wear one in doctors and hospital

Justa47 · 05/07/2021 20:55

@undertheseariel

You can do what you want after 19th July
Just like BOJO now distancing himself. Doing the popular are most don’t really understand.

What he said today is utterly irresponsible and and watch us breed a new vaccine escaping variant .

God save us from these brexit toffs

RoseAndRose · 05/07/2021 21:09

Well nothing is set in concrete until 12th.

There's quite a backlash about no masks on public transport - Unite is firmly against (remember that sector saw a very high number of deaths in the first wave)

RoseAndRose · 05/07/2021 21:12

@screwcovid

I won't be going anywhere that requires a mask saying that I would wear one in doctors and hospital
I think they really shouid continue to be required in medical settings, as that's a place where there will be many vulnerable people (either because they have a co-morbidity, or because their current illness makes them temporarily so)

Also the highly vulnerable still need to get about and get essential shopping done. Other people's masks protect them

mrsrhodgilbert · 05/07/2021 21:15

At least a couple of airlines have said they will still insist on masks

rosie39forever · 05/07/2021 21:26

There's going to be a further announcement about masks in medical, care and settings where close contact is required so don't go burning your masks just yet, and also don't forget this is flip flopping u turning Johnson so anything could happen between now and the 19th.

Tealightsandd · 05/07/2021 21:37

@RoseAndRose

Well nothing is set in concrete until 12th.

There's quite a backlash about no masks on public transport - Unite is firmly against (remember that sector saw a very high number of deaths in the first wave)

Yes. In London alone hundreds of transport workers are dead.

We know vaccines aren't 100% effective particularly against the Delta strain. And some of the vulnerable aren't well protected by vaccines - people with blood cancer, for example. And the very elderly...like those in care homes...

London's care home residents in particular will be sitting ducks. Only around 55-60% of London care staff are vaccinated. High hesitancy rates. So without masks too... If I was a family member I'd take legal action. Care homes (and hospitals) have a duty of care.

What he said today is utterly irresponsible and and watch us breed a new vaccine escaping variant

Yes.

baldafrique · 05/07/2021 21:38

Surely NHS clinicians and patients will still be wearing masks?

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