Face masks: Where will you have to wear them from Monday?

The Government has announced that face masks will no longer be a legal requirement in England from Monday.

Despite the impending rule change, it doesn’t spell the end of wearing face masks completely since other parts of the UK, retail shops and public transport are still making them a requirement.

Guidance published by the government says it “expects and recommends that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces”.

Here is a breakdown of where you will have to wear face masks from July 19, a.k.a. ‘Freedom Day’.

Public Transport

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When it comes to face masks, travel operators can make their own rules on whether passengers need to wear them on their services.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has announced that face masks will be required when travelling on Transport for London services, such as the underground and buses.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said that face coverings will be mandatory when travelling on the city’s trams.

But some travel operators are private and therefore cannot make their own decisions on their face mask policy.

Burnham has faced this particular problem. He wants face masks to be worn on other transport, such as buses, but, because they are privately run, he cannot enforce this rule.

Meanwhile airline operators British Airways, EasyJet, Virgin and Ryanair, along with Brittany Ferries, have said that face masks will still be required when travelling on their services.

Supermarkets

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Most supermarkets have announced that they will encourage customers to wear face masks after the rule change on Monday - but will not bar people who do not wear one.

Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidi are all encouraging customers to continue wearing a face mask in their stores.

Tesco added that it would continue to have protective screens at checkouts, hand sanitiser stations and regular cleans.

Asda have also said they will continue to provide face coverings in shops for people who wish to use them.

John Lewis and Waitrose have also encouraged customers to wear face masks but say the decision “will be for each individual to take”.

Retail shops

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As the face mask rule change comes into effect on Monday, different retailers have shared their policies.

Bookstore Waterstones was one of the first retailers to announce they will keep the mask rule in place within their stores across the UK.

Clothing retailer Primark has said it hopes “people will continue to think of others and wear a face covering if they can.”

While H&M are encouraging staff and customer to keep wearing a mask in their stores.

Wilkos are “recommending face coverings for team members” and “ask customers show their support by wearing theirs while shopping too.”

Elsewhere, Argos will encourage all customers to wear a face covering if they can, and IKEA has also encouraging their customers to do the same but said it “recognises that this is a personal choice for customers and co-workers”.

Superdrug is still waiting on more detailed government guidance, and Boots recommends that customers continue to wear face masks in their stores, especially in their pharmacies and if it’s busy.