People in Northern Ireland and England are no longer legally required to wear face masks in most public spaces – although they are still recommended in some places.
Masks will no longer be legally required in Scotland from 21 March.
Rules on face masks have changed:
- face coverings remain a requirement in healthcare settings, such as GP surgeries, hospitals and care homes
- the government recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed or private spaces where they are mixing with people they don’t know
- many major retailers including Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl, Waitrose and John Lewis have asked staff and customers to keep wearing a face covering
- face coverings are not mandatory on Transport for London’s tubes, trains or buses, but they are still “strongly encouraged”
What are the latest changes to the UK’s Covid rules?
The legal requirement to wear face coverings in some settings in Scotland is set to end on 21 March, when all remaining Covid restrictions are due to be lifted.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “voluntary compliance” would be encouraged instead.
Under the current rules, masks must be worn in most indoor public spaces including public transport, shops and gyms (although they can be temporarily removed when exercising).
They are mandatory in pubs and restaurants when not seated or dancing, as well as in the workplace in communal areas and canteens.
They are compulsory for all school staff as well as secondary school pupils and are also required in indoor public spaces in universities.
However, pupils will no longer have to wear them in class from 28 February.
Under-12s are exempt.
- What are the Covid rules in Scotland?
The rules in Wales, which apply to everyone aged 11 or over, are set to be relaxed on 28 February.
Currently, face coverings are required on public transport and most public spaces, including shops.
Secondary school pupils are being asked to wear masks in class until the end of half term.
From 28 February masks will only be required in shops, salons, hairdressers, public transport and health and social care.
They will no longer be mandatory in other venues such as museums or cinemas.
Pupils will not have to wear masks in class from the same date – schools can then decide their rules.
Mask-wearing is no longer legally enforced in Northern Ireland.
However, face coverings are still recommended in certain places, such as enclosed public settings and health and social care settings.
- Northern Ireland’s last Covid rules are lifted
- What are the remaining Covid regulations set to go?
In Wales, the penalty for a first offence is £60, with the fine doubling for each subsequent offence – up to a maximum of £1,920. Repeat offenders can also be prosecuted in court where fines are unlimited.
In Scotland, the police can issue a penalty notice of up to £60 for breaking the law on mask-wearing.
- Mandatory masks: ‘We worry people won’t come in’
Evidence suggests transmission mainly happens indoors, where people are close together.
Covering the nose and mouth reduces the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and while speaking.
The main purpose is to protect others, although there is some evidence they offer protection to wearers.
- Five ways to avoid catching coronavirus indoors
It should:
- have a nose wire
- have at least two or three layers of material
- fit snugly over mouth, nose and chin
Standard surgical masks are acceptable. It is also possible to buy FFP2 and FFP3 masks used by healthcare workers which can offer higher protection. However, these must be fitted correctly to work.
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