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| Coronavirus: Face masks and coverings to be compulsory in England's shops | Coronavirus: Face masks and coverings to be compulsory in England's shops |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July. | Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July. |
| Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to £100, the government has announced. | |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it would "give people more confidence to shop safely and enhance protections for those who work in shops". | |
| The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany. | The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany. |
| Since mid-May, the public have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may encounter people they would not usually meet. | Since mid-May, the public have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may encounter people they would not usually meet. |
| It has been compulsory on public transport in England and at NHS facilities across the UK since 15 June. | |
| Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt. | Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt. |
| Mr Hancock told the Commons: "The death rate of sales and retail assistants is 75% higher amongst men and 60% higher amongst women than in the general population." | |
| He added: "There is also evidence that face coverings increase confidence in people to shop." | |
| The new rule will not apply to retail staff. | |
| It comes as Scotland recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the sixth day in a row, with a further three positive cases identified since Monday. UK figures will be released later. | It comes as Scotland recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the sixth day in a row, with a further three positive cases identified since Monday. UK figures will be released later. |
| Labour said ministers' had been "slow and muddled" on face coverings and questioned why the new rules would not come into force for 11 days. | Labour said ministers' had been "slow and muddled" on face coverings and questioned why the new rules would not come into force for 11 days. |
| But Environment Secretary George Eustice told the BBC that research on the use of face coverings, including advice from the World Health Organization, had been "evolving". | |
| And he said the delay between the announcement and the rule coming into force on 24 July "gives people time to prepare". | |
| Wearing face coverings in shops is an "appropriate mitigation" against the "overall risk" of the coronavirus, but the rule would not work in pubs, cafes or restaurants, he added. | |
| The latest rules for shops will be enforced by the police, with anyone disregarding them at risk of a fine of up to £100. This will be reduced to £50 if people pay within 14 days. | The latest rules for shops will be enforced by the police, with anyone disregarding them at risk of a fine of up to £100. This will be reduced to £50 if people pay within 14 days. |
| "A shop can refuse them entry and can call the police if they refuse to comply," Mr Hancock said. | |
| Growing demands on police | Growing demands on police |
| During lockdown, police in England issued around 16,000 fines for alleged breaches of the restrictions. | During lockdown, police in England issued around 16,000 fines for alleged breaches of the restrictions. |
| Enforcing the rules was not always easy, particularly because the regulations were drawn up at the last minute, but forces did at least have enough resources - as crime and emergency calls had fallen sharply. | Enforcing the rules was not always easy, particularly because the regulations were drawn up at the last minute, but forces did at least have enough resources - as crime and emergency calls had fallen sharply. |
| Now, as the country begins to return to normal, demands on police time are growing again. | Now, as the country begins to return to normal, demands on police time are growing again. |
| That's one reason why officers don't want the extra burden of dealing with non-compliant shop customers. | That's one reason why officers don't want the extra burden of dealing with non-compliant shop customers. |
| Another factor is a concern is that it may draw police into confrontations with the public at a time when the service is already under the spotlight for its use of tactics, such as stop-and-search. | Another factor is a concern is that it may draw police into confrontations with the public at a time when the service is already under the spotlight for its use of tactics, such as stop-and-search. |
| However, the way the face-covering rules are likely to be drafted means it will be the police, not shop staff, who will be called upon if people refuse to abide by the measures. | However, the way the face-covering rules are likely to be drafted means it will be the police, not shop staff, who will be called upon if people refuse to abide by the measures. |
| Ken Marsh of the Metropolitan Police Federation suggested enforcing the new rule could strain the relationship between police officers and the general public. | Ken Marsh of the Metropolitan Police Federation suggested enforcing the new rule could strain the relationship between police officers and the general public. |
| And John Apter of the Police Federation said it should be down to shops to make wearing a face covering a "condition of entry". | And John Apter of the Police Federation said it should be down to shops to make wearing a face covering a "condition of entry". |
| In Scotland, the use of coverings in shops has been mandatory since 10 July - but few fines have been issued. | In Scotland, the use of coverings in shops has been mandatory since 10 July - but few fines have been issued. |
| Shoppers in Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently required to wear them, although both nations have said this will be kept under review. | Shoppers in Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently required to wear them, although both nations have said this will be kept under review. |
| Will customers be happy? | Will customers be happy? |
| Face coverings steam up your glasses, they're uncomfortable, they infringe on personal freedom, according to BBC Radio 5 Live listeners. | Face coverings steam up your glasses, they're uncomfortable, they infringe on personal freedom, according to BBC Radio 5 Live listeners. |
| Andy, from Manchester, says the discomfort means he's less likely to go to the shops and now worries shopping must carry a higher risk than he thought. | Andy, from Manchester, says the discomfort means he's less likely to go to the shops and now worries shopping must carry a higher risk than he thought. |
| But there's reassurance from Scotland, where face coverings have been mandatory in shops since Friday. | But there's reassurance from Scotland, where face coverings have been mandatory in shops since Friday. |
| Pamela, who runs a clothes shop in East Kilbride, says most of her customers have been happy to wear one - only one refused because they didn't like it. | Pamela, who runs a clothes shop in East Kilbride, says most of her customers have been happy to wear one - only one refused because they didn't like it. |
| Boris Johnson signalled a shift in the government's position on Friday when he spoke of the need for a stricter approach in confined setting. | Boris Johnson signalled a shift in the government's position on Friday when he spoke of the need for a stricter approach in confined setting. |
| But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove downplayed the suggestion of any immediate legal change on Sunday. | But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove downplayed the suggestion of any immediate legal change on Sunday. |
| 'Slow and muddled' | 'Slow and muddled' |
| Labour said the mixed messages demonstrated the government's indecision during the pandemic, and ministers had to explain the "further delay". | Labour said the mixed messages demonstrated the government's indecision during the pandemic, and ministers had to explain the "further delay". |
| "The government has been slow and muddled again," shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said. | "The government has been slow and muddled again," shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said. |
| A No 10 spokesman said: "There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus. | A No 10 spokesman said: "There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus. |
| "The prime minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from 24 July." | "The prime minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from 24 July." |
| Unions and businesses have said the new guidance must be "clear and detailed" to protect staff and customers. | Unions and businesses have said the new guidance must be "clear and detailed" to protect staff and customers. |
| While welcoming clarity over the issue, shop workers union Usdaw said coverings could not be a substitute for strict hygiene controls and social distancing measures. | While welcoming clarity over the issue, shop workers union Usdaw said coverings could not be a substitute for strict hygiene controls and social distancing measures. |
| The British Retail Consortium said it hoped the announcement "will make shoppers feel even more confident about returning to the High Street". | The British Retail Consortium said it hoped the announcement "will make shoppers feel even more confident about returning to the High Street". |
| Scarves or other textile items that can be used to continually cover the nose and mouth without having to be held in place by hand are considered adequate in non-medical settings. | Scarves or other textile items that can be used to continually cover the nose and mouth without having to be held in place by hand are considered adequate in non-medical settings. |
| There has been a reported increase in the use of face coverings by people in England, Scotland and Wales. | |
| More than half of adults surveyed by the Office for National Statistics in the first week of July said they used a covering while outside their home. | |
| Downing Street said it would keep the guidance on face coverings in other settings, such as offices, under review. | Downing Street said it would keep the guidance on face coverings in other settings, such as offices, under review. |