Face coverings mandatory from today: are you getting used to them?

The news showed people who had made their own masks. One lady had included a transparent panel over her mouth so you could see a smile – something missing with simple masks. It also enabled the hard of hearing to lipread, so would be handy for shop staff.

I have no problem wearing a mask (and gloves) when I need to get fuel or provisions. I still keep clear of others. However, I have noticed a relaxation in people’s observance of social distancing when walking outside. We’ll know if this has any effect on COVID cases fairly quickly I would imagine.

To all those who believe that there are no exemptions relating to the wearing of facemasks please read the following. I have copied this from the .gov website. I have done this as I am one of those who due to hidden disabilities am exempt from wearing a facemask and, am, at the moment, nervous about not wearing one due to the level of abuse both vocal and physical that I have been told and seen exists. I do believe that instead of saying that it is ‘MANDATORY’ to wear the facemasks the PM, Government, Shops and other businesses should make it clear that there are exemptions. I would wear one if I could but due to Emphysema amongst other ailments I cannot. I would ask you all to read this press release in full and, as they say, ‘read and inwardly digest’. I understand that there are those who have no reason not to wear one, just don’t want to and I agree that is wrong. Please don’t take it out on those who legitimately cannot.
Apologies for the rant. Also just for your info the charity, ‘HiddenDisabilities is recognised by the Government as a place to get a badge to show you are exempt. I have one from them.
This is the FULL content of the Press release of the 23rd July 2020 by The Department of Health and Social Care and also Matt Hancock MP. ‘Face coverings will be mandatory in additional enclosed public spaces from Friday 24 July – including shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and transport hubs
New measure an important step in lifting lockdown, as the public are encouraged to play their part
Venues such as restaurants, pubs and gyms will be exempt.
Under the new regulations laid today, members of the public will need to wear face coverings – for example, a fabric covering, scarf or bandana – that covers the nose and mouth in additional enclosed public spaces, as well as frequent hand washing and careful social distancing.
It will be compulsory to wear a face covering when buying food and drink to take away from cafes and shops. If you are in a premises where you are able to sit down and consume food or drink that you have bought, then you can remove your face covering in order to eat and drink on-site.
Face coverings will not be mandatory for:
anyone under the age of 11
those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering
There is evidence to suggest that, when used correctly, face coverings may reduce the likelihood of someone with the infection passing it on to others, particularly if they are asymptomatic.
The government is telling the public to play their part and wear face coverings in order to help fight the spread of the virus, enabling further easing of national restrictions. The responsibility for wearing a face covering sits with individuals. Businesses are encouraged to take reasonable steps to encourage customers to follow the law, including through signs and providing other information in store.
Health and Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
As we move into the next stage of easing restrictions for the public, it is vital we continue to shop safely so that we can make the most of our fantastic retail industry this summer. Everyone must play their part in fighting this virus by following this new guidance. I also want to thank the British public for all the sacrifices they are making to help keep this country safe.
As well as shops and supermarkets, face coverings must be worn in banks, building societies and post offices.
Wearing a face covering will not be made mandatory in other venues that have measures in place to protect staff and the public from COVID-19. These include:
eat-in restaurants and pubs
hairdressers and other treatment salons
gyms and leisure centres
cinemas, concert halls and theatres
For transport hubs in England, the requirements mean face coverings must be worn in indoor train stations and terminals, airports, maritime ports, and indoor bus and coach stations or terminals.
Anyone who doesn’t abide by the regulations – and is not exempt under one of the categories set out in the regulations – could face a fine by the police of up to £100, as is currently the case on public transport. The police have been very clear throughout the pandemic that they will “engage, explain, encourage and finally enforce as a last resort”.
People wearing face coverings are still strongly advised to:
wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before putting one on or taking it off
avoid taking it off and putting it back on again a lot in quick succession
store it in a plastic bag in between washes or wearing
avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth while wearing one’
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The latest guidance will be published on GOV.UK soon.
The regulations, made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984, will include powers for the police to enforce the requirement to wear a face covering.
You will be expected to wear a face covering before entering any shop or supermarket and must keep this on until you leave. If a shop or supermarket has a café or seating area for you to eat and drink, then you can remove your face covering in this area only. You must put a face covering back on once you leave your seating area.
Wearing a face covering will not be made mandatory in venues such as:
hairdressers and close-contact services
eat-in restaurants, cafes and pubs. Face coverings will be required in cafes or take-away restaurants that do not provide table service, other than in designated seating areas
entertainment venues, including cinemas, concert halls and theatres
visitor attractions (such as heritage sites or museums)
gyms and leisure centres
dentists or opticians. But NHS guidance states that face coverings should be worn in hospitals
Those with the following circumstances are also exempt from wearing a face covering, regardless of the venue:
children under the age of 11
those with disabilities or the following health conditions: breathing difficulties and other respiratory conditions
conditions affecting their dexterity, meaning they are not able to put on a face covering
mental health conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders
other non-visible disabilities such as autism
cognitive impairments, including dementia, who may not understand or remember the need to wear a face covering
visual impairments, with a restricted field of vision, particularly if any residual vision is at the lower edge of the normal field of view
impairments which would make it difficult to put on or take off a face covering safely, accurately, consistently or without pain
This list of exemptions is not exhaustive and extends to anyone with justifiable reason for not wearing one on the grounds of health or disability.
You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):
young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
in order to take medication
if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:
if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
if asked to do so by shop staff for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for identification purposes including when buying age-restricted products such as alcohol
if speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication
It is not compulsory for shop or supermarket staff to wear face coverings although we strongly recommend that employers consider their use where appropriate and where other mitigations are not in place. Employees should continue to follow COVID-19 secure guidelines to reduce the proximity and duration of contact between employees. Businesses are already subject to legal obligations to protect their staff under existing employment law. This means taking appropriate steps to provide a safe working environment, which may include face coverings where appropriate, alongside other mitigation such as perspex screens to separate workers from customers.
Further regulations will come into force on Saturday 25 July, to open more businesses and venues to the public. This will include swimming pools and water parks, indoor fitness and dance studios, gyms and sport courts.
On enforcement in transport hubs, transport and hub operators will be expected to remind passengers of the law and if necessary ask people to leave a transport hub if they are not wearing a face covering. It will be for the Police (and British Transport Police on the rail network) to enforce £100 fixed-term penalties, or remove people from services. Transport for London (TfL) will have the same enforcement and prosecution powers in TfL transport hubs as they currently have in TfL carriages.

It seems quite silly that the four nations in the UK don’t adopt a consistent approach to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions. This is no time to play partisan politics. We use the same sources of scientific data and opinion, travel freely normally between the home nations, so we should follow the same advice. Otherwise the “confusion” accusation will persist.

A pity that the four responsible (really) authorities would rather try to score points rather than focus on their populations best health interests.