Face mask rules change TODAY as cinemas, bingo halls and salons join list of places they must be worn
FACE masks will have to be worn in a range of new settings including cinemas, bingo halls and salons when fresh government rules come into force TODAY.
Face coverings are currently mandatory in shops and on public transport but a rule change will now make them compulsory in more indoor spaces.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
As it stands, people in England are required to wear a face mask in shopping centres, shops, post offices, supermarkets, banks and takeaway outlets.
But this will now extend to theatres, concert halls, museums, places of worship, hair salons and galleries.
Police can slap those caught breaking the rules with £100 fines.
Public Health England recently recommended that children under the age of three should not wear face coverings for health and safety reasons.
And people are exempt if a mask is likely to cause them severe distress, or if they have a physical or mental illness or disability.
During wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom do not have to wear a face covering.
Last week, Boris Johnson said masks will be mandatory in indoor spaces where people will come into contact with others they don’t know.
The move comes as the PM announced a growing rate of coronavirus infections will see the Government hit the brakes on the easing of lockdown measures.
Places where face masks must be worn from TODAY
Cinemas
Theatres
Bingo halls
Concert halls
Museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms
Indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites
Funeral directors
Professional, legal or financial services buildings
Nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers – other than where necessary to remove for treatments
Massage parlours
Public areas in hotels and hostels
Places of worship
Libraries and public reading rooms
Community centres
Social clubs
Tattoo and piercing parlours
Indoor entertainment venues (amusement arcades, funfairs, adventure activities such as laser quest, go-karting, escape rooms, heritage sites)
Storage and distribution facilities
Veterinary services
Auction houses
The Prime Minister said: “We will also extend the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings where you are likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship.
“We now recommend face coverings are worn in these settings, and this will become enforceable in law from August 8.”
Mr Johnson added: “Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their best to control the virus.
“But we must keep our discipline and our focus and we cannot be complacent.
Most read in UK News
“I have asked the Home Secretary to work with the police and others to ensure the rules which are already in place are properly enforced.”
He added there will be a “greater police presence” to ensure face coverings are being worn.
“The mandatory use of face coverings will reduce the risk to the population at large from these individuals.”