Members of staff and the public must now wear face coverings in all indoor places where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own - GOV.UK website
Exemptions
Please be mindful that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
- to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
- police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
Enforcment
The police are responsible for enforcing the law on wearing facemasks.
Fines
If necessary, the police can issue fines of £200 (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) for the first offence.
Repeat offenders receiving fines on public transport or in an indoor setting will have their fines doubled at each offence.
After the first offence, there will be no discount.
For example, receiving a second fine will amount to £400 and a third fine will be £800, up to a maximum value of £6,400.