All the places you DO and DON’T have to wear a mask as new rules come into force

FACE masks will be once again compulsory in some indoor settings from Tuesday, November 30.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions at the weekend after the UK recorded its first cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

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Where DO I have to wear a face mask?

Shops

Brits will have to wear a face mask when visiting indoor shops from November 30.

The measure had been in place for most of the pandemic, but was removed in July 2021.

Public transport

From November 30, it is also compulsory to wear a face mask on public transport, such as trains, buses, and trams.

Fines of £200 will be handed out to people in England who do not follow the rule, with the maximum fine being capped at £6,400.

Hairdressers and nail salons

Face masks also have to be worn in hairdressers and nail salons in England from tomorrow.

Banks and post offices

Public places such as banks and post offices will also require anyone who enters to wear a face mask, unless they are exempt.

Secondary schools and universities

Pupils will have to wear face masks in communal areas in secondary schools, the Department of Education said.

University students and staff have also been told to wear a face covering in communal spaces and corridors.

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Where DON’T I have to wear a face mask?

Pubs and restaurants

The government has decided not to make masks mandatory in pubs and restaurants.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “People will be using public transport, obviously people will be going into shops where there are crowded spaces, and there are particular challenges around hospitality with regards to people eating and drinking, which the minister talked about this morning.”

However, the British Medical Association said that staff in pubs and restaurants should be required to wear face coverings when serving customers.

Cinemas and theatres

It will not be compulsory to wear a face mask at entertainment venues such as the theatre or at the cinema.

However, some companies will still encourage people to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.

Streets and parks

You do not need to wear a face mask when walking in outdoor spaces such as streets and parks.

What are the new measures?

The new measures include the reintroduction of face masks in some indoor setting such as shops, public transport and nail salons.

The Prime Minister has also tightened rules on international travel just a matter of weeks since they were relaxed.

All people arriving in Britain from abroad will have to quarantine and take a PCR test on their second day in the country.

If the swab comes back negative, they will then be allowed to leave isolation.

The PM also revealed that self-isolation rules will be brought back for contacts of people who test positive for Omicron.

Those who have been in touch with someone who gets the new variant will have to self-quarantine for 10 days even if they are fully vaccinated.