THE MASKED SHOPPER
FACE masks must be worn in shops from July 24, the Government announced today.
Anyone refusing will be fined up to £100 as Boris Johnson looks to prevent a second coronavirus wave as lockdown restrictions are eased.
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The new Covid-19 rule comes after ministers were criticised for contradicting each other on the need for masks.
Boris Johnson yesterday said wearing a face mask while shopping is a vital “insurance policy” to stop Covid-19 exploding again.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the news in the Commons this lunchtime.
He told the House of Commons: "There is also evidence that face coverings increase confidence in people to shop.
"Face coverings can make shoppers feel even more confident about returning to the high street."
They have a "part to play" in helping the nation recover and protecting shop workers, he added.
Mr Hancock said that those shops can call the police if people without an exemption from wearing a face covering refuse to comply.
Kids under 11 and those with disabilities will be exempt.
The PM spoke out ahead of today's announcement that masks will be compulsory in stores from July 24.
He said: “I do think in shops it is very important to wear a face covering if you are going to be in a confined space.
“You want to protect other people and receive protection in turn.
“Face coverings — I think people should be wearing them in shops.”
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Mr Johnson’s endorsement comes after the Government was accused of dithering on the issue and making contradictory statements.
Environment Secretary George Eustice tried to defend the delay on bringing in face masks saying the evidence on them had changed, despite many European countries making them mandatory months ago.
He told Sky News: "There are two things that have been going on - the evidence and understanding has been evolving, WHO changed its guidance back in June.
"As we loosen the lockdown and allow more venues to open. We need to consider the mix of measures we have in place and control the virus.
"All shops, all enclosed spaces, supermarkets, if people go into retail environments, staff generally already wear masks or visor shields.
Staff generally already wear masks.
"Retailers have gone to great lengths, don’t think it’s unreasonable to now ask the public to take that step."
He said the new rules wouldn't come into force for another 10 days to give shops and businesses time to prepare.
The PM said he changed his mind over the value of masks in stopping the spread of Covid-19 after scientific advice “shifted in favour of them”.
The PM said: “In a confined space you are protecting others from the transmission you might be giving off.
“And they in turn are protecting you. It is a mutual thing.
“As the virus comes down in incidents and we have more and more success, I think face coverings are a kind of extra insurance that we can all use to stop it coming back and stop it getting out of control again.”
Mr Johnson made the case for compulsory masks as the UK yesterday recorded 11 Covid- 19 related deaths — the lowest daily total since March 12.
It brings shops in line with public transport, where masks have been compulsory since June 15.
Downing Street has faced pressure to act after scientists demanded the rules be changed.
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made face masks compulsory in shops there on Friday.
Royal Society president Dr Venki Ramakrishnan said the “evidence has shifted” and is now “quite strongly in favour of using face coverings in enclosed spaces”.
He said it was “not consistent” to demand people wear face coverings on public transport but not in shops.
Dr Ramakrishnan said: “A virus doesn’t know. The behaviour of the virus is the same in all spaces.”
Downing Street has ordered increased production capacity at factories so five million masks a week will be available to meet demand.
The Government has been accused of a mixed message on masks.
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The PM suggested last Friday that masks would be compulsory in shops only to be contradicted by Michael Gove who said on Sunday that people should be trusted to use their “good sense”.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland yesterday summed up the confusion by saying his view was that masks should be “mandatory — maybe”.
A new scientific report warns that a second wave of coronavirus this winter could be worse — killing 120,000 in hospitals.
The Academy of Medical Sciences produced the report at the request of Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser.
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It warns that the Government must act now to prepare for a possible “winter wave”.
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The academy’s modelling suggested that in a worst-case scenario the R infection rate would rise to 1.7 in September leading to a peak in hospital admissions and deaths in January and February, when the NHS is usually at its busiest.
Study leader Professor Stephen Holgate said: “This is not a prediction but it is a possibility.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice saying people won't have to wear face masks in restaurants
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