This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51205344

The article has changed 55 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 46 Version 47
Coronavirus: What are the rules for face masks or face coverings? Coronavirus: What are the rules for face masks or face coverings?
(17 days later)
Face coverings are now required when visiting museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship in England. Secondary pupils in local lockdown areas of England will have to wear face coverings in school corridors from the beginning of September.
It has also been compulsory to wear them in shops since 24 July. In addition, face coverings can be introduced in any secondary school if the head teacher decides to do so.
What are the face coverings rules in shops? What are the face covering rules in schools?
Face coverings must be worn in enclosed public spaces in England - this includes shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, banks, building societies and post offices. It extends to railway and bus stations and airports. In England, secondary schools will have the ''discretion'' to require face coverings in communal areas, where social distancing is not possible.
Customers must wear a face covering before entering any shop and keep it on until they leave. However, they will be mandatory for schools in parts of England that are under a local lockdown or facing extra government restrictions.
Those who fail to do so could be fined up to £100, or £50 if they pay within 14 days. The rules will be enforced by the police, not shop workers, and only ''as a last resort''. These areas currently include:
Shop workers do not have to wear coverings. This will not include in classrooms during lessons, where the government says they could "inhibit learning".
Will shops expect customers to wear masks? The new guidance extends to further education colleges but not to primary schools.
Retailers differ over their approach. For example, Sainsbury's says it "won't be challenging customers without a mask'' since they may have a reason not to wear one, whereas Tesco says it has signs explaining the rules and also sells masks. Secondary school pupils in Scotland and Northern Ireland have to wear face coverings between lessons from 31 August.
In Scotland, it's been a requirement to wear face coverings in shops since 10 July. Anyone not wearing one can be fined £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days) for a first offence. People with certain medical conditions or disabilities are exempt, along with children under five. The Scottish government says all pupils over the age of 12 should wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas, but will not have to wear them in classrooms.
In Northern Ireland, face coverings became compulsory in shops and other enclosed public spaces from 10 August. Breaches can attract a fixed penalty notice of £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days). On school buses, everyone over the age of five will have to wear face coverings.
How about restaurants and takeaways? The advice is similar in Northern Ireland, where the Education Minister said guidance on face coverings would be updated to include wearing them in the corridors of post-primary schools.
In England, face coverings do not have to be worn where it would be ''impractical'' to do so. In Wales, it will be up to schools and councils to decide if face coverings are used. But the government is recommending those aged 11 and over wear them when social distancing cannot be maintained, including in schools and school transport.
That includes restaurants, pubs and gyms. It will require local authorities to do risk assessments to determine this.
They must be worn in a shop or cafe when buying food and drink to take away, but can be removed if you sit down to eat and drink. What about in shops?
They are also optional in: Face coverings must be worn in shops, supermarkets and shopping centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - but not Wales.
In Wales you do not currently have to wear a face covering in shops, or takeaways. Those who fail to do so can be fined by the police - up to £100 in England, or £60 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, they are compulsory in shops and libraries. But the rules do not apply in takeaways, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs or in banks and building societies. Shop workers do not have to wear face coverings.
How about other indoor spaces?
In England and Scotland, face coverings are also compulsory in a number of indoor spaces. These include:
Face coverings do not have to be worn where it would be ''impractical'' to do so - for instance, restaurants, pubs and gyms.
In Northern Ireland, apart from shops, the rule includes "any other indoor place where goods or services are available to buy or rent... for example, a bookmakers, a food takeaway business or a dry cleaner".
In Wales you are not currently compelled to wear a face covering in shops.
Who doesn't have to wear a face covering?Who doesn't have to wear a face covering?
Some people do not have to wear a face covering. They include:Some people do not have to wear a face covering. They include:
You can take off your mask if:You can take off your mask if:
Children under three should not wear face masks as they could cause choking and suffocation, Public Health England says. Young children should not wear face masks because of the risk of choking and suffocation.
What are the face covering rules on public transport?What are the face covering rules on public transport?
Since 15 June, anyone travelling by bus, train, ferry or plane in England must wear a face covering, if they are not exempted. Face coverings are compulsory for anyone travelling by public transport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (unless they have an exemption or a reasonable excuse).
If it is "reasonably necessary" for you to eat or drink, you can remove the face covering to do so. Passengers boarding aircraft in England, Scotland and Wales must wear a face covering - Northern Ireland also recommends their use.
People can be refused travel if they don't follow the rules, and can be fined as a last resort. People can be refused travel if they do not follow the rules, and can be fined as a last resort.
Public transport excludes cruise ships, school transport, taxis and private hire vehicles.
In Scotland, it is compulsory to wear face coverings on all public transport.
This is also the case in Wales. These coverings should be three layers thick.
The wearing of face coverings on most buses, trains and ferries became mandatory in Northern Ireland on 10 July.
Where am I supposed to get a face covering?Where am I supposed to get a face covering?
The government has been careful to use the term "face covering" rather than "face mask" - with surgical masks kept for medical use.The government has been careful to use the term "face covering" rather than "face mask" - with surgical masks kept for medical use.
The BBC has created a guide on how to make your own face covering. The government has issued its own advice too.The BBC has created a guide on how to make your own face covering. The government has issued its own advice too.
Do face coverings work?Do face coverings work?
World Health Organization (WHO) advice says non-medical face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.World Health Organization (WHO) advice says non-medical face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.
Coronavirus is spread when droplets are sprayed into the air when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. Those droplets can then fall on surfaces.Coronavirus is spread when droplets are sprayed into the air when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. Those droplets can then fall on surfaces.
The WHO says there is also emerging evidence of airborne transmission of the virus, with tiny particles hanging in aerosol form in the air.The WHO says there is also emerging evidence of airborne transmission of the virus, with tiny particles hanging in aerosol form in the air.
Homemade cloth face-coverings can help reduce the spread from people who are contagious but have no symptoms or are yet to develop symptoms.Homemade cloth face-coverings can help reduce the spread from people who are contagious but have no symptoms or are yet to develop symptoms.
Scientists in Singapore suggest the contagion risk is especially high in the 24-48 hours before an infected person is even aware they might have the disease.Scientists in Singapore suggest the contagion risk is especially high in the 24-48 hours before an infected person is even aware they might have the disease.
Taking a face covering on and off can also risk contamination, the WHO says.Taking a face covering on and off can also risk contamination, the WHO says.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?