Do I need to wear a face mask at hairdressers, pubs and restaurants? Latest UK rules

Face masks are back – as the UK tries to keep the new Omicron variant of Covid under control.

While we all know by now that masks for ‘shops and public transport’ are legally required by the UK government, it’s useful to know what the rules classify as a ‘shop’.

For example: does popping to the hair salon or visiting your barber count as a ‘shop’? Can you get your hair done, or perhaps pop for a bite to eat somewhere, without a face covering?

Here are the new mask rules for England – plus existing rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Of course, they apply to those who aren’t medically (or otherwise) exempt from wearing one…

Do I need to wear a face mask at the hairdressers?

In England, you do need to don a face mask or covering at the hairdressers.

Since the rules changed on November 30, it’s now required that all people in England wear masks in shops.

Shops include ‘premises providing personal care’, such as:

• Barbers
• Hair salons
• Tattoo studios
• Piercing studios
• Nail salons
• Massage centres.

You have to wear it on entering the salon or barbers, and keep it on.

‘You are required to wear a face covering on entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse for removing it,’ says gov.uk’s guidance.

All the staff at your hairdressers should have their mask or covering on at all times, too.

As for elsewhere in the UK, you are required to wear one in hairdressers and salons across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in pubs and restaurants?

In England, you aren’t required to wear a face mask or covering inside a pub or restaurant.

This is because, for the most part, you’ll be sitting down in this venue and probably eating or drinking – which you obviously can’t do when your mouth is covered.

Gov.uk confirms: ‘Face coverings are not legally required in hospitality settings.’

However, you do have to wear them in takeaway eateries where you can’t sit down to eat or drink. So if you’re just popping in to pick up some scran, put your mask on.

In Scotland, face masks or coverings are to be worn in all bars, restaurants and takeaways – unless you’re sitting down to eat or drink. The same goes for Northern Ireland.

In Wales, they’re not required at all.

Where do I need to wear a face mask?

In England, they need need to be worn in all shops and supermarkets.

Gov.uk lists where they are legally required. The list includes all forms of public transport, in galleries, pharmacies, vet surgeries, banks and post offices.

Face covering rules for England were originally relaxed in July 2021, but these new rules came into force in November 2021.

For Scotland, gov.scot says face masks are mandatory in shops, on public transport, pubs and restaurants (when not seated), gyms, libraries and other public indoor spaces.

For Wales, gov.wales says they’re not required in pubs or restaurants (or anywhere serving food or drink) – but they are legally mandated anywhere else that is considered a public, indoor space. Yep, including shops and public transport.

For Northern Ireland, NI Direct says face coverings should be worn in all indoor public spaces. This includes: ‘shops, shopping centres, public, private and school transport services, taxis, airplanes, public transport stations and airports, banks, churches, cinemas, and some government offices’.

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