Face coverings to become mandatory for retail staff from this week

Speaking earlier in the House of Commons, prime minister Boris Johnson said that, as part of a suite of increased restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus, all retail staff would need to wear face coverings at work from Thursday. 

Johnson said that such measures would now be considered a legal requirement as part of its moves to make sure that businesses can stay open in a “Covid-secure way”. 

“[From Thursday] we will extend the requirement to wear face coverings to include staff in retail, all users of taxis and private-hire vehicles and staff and customers in indoor hospitality, except when seated at a table to eat or drink,” said Johnson.

“In retail, leisure and tourism and other sectors, our Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations.”

He also said that police presence would be increased to ensure compliance with these new measures and that high street retailers and businesses could face fines of up to £10,000 for not complying. 

Individual fines for people not wearing masks in stores, on public transport and in taxis will also be doubled from £100 to £200 for a first-time offence. 

From Thursday, all pubs and restaurants will be forced to offer table service only and a blanket curfew for hospitality venues of 10pm will also be brought into effect across England. 

The prime minister said that the UK was at a “perilous turning point” with the virus surging across all areas and age groups, and warned that failure to comply with these new restrictions could lead to a second national lockdown in the future. 

Johnson also confirmed a government U-turn on getting people back into offices, saying that all those who can work from home should do so. 

Finally, the prime minister warned that the latest round of restrictions would likely be in place for the next six months, covering Christmas and the New Year.