A new law has come into force today (24th July) which makes it a legal requirement for customers to wear a face mask when entering shops and other retail establishments.
All customers are expected to wear a face covering before entering any shop or supermarket and must keep this on until they leave. The legislation also extends to takeaway food premises, banks, post offices, transport hubs and indoor shopping centres. If a shop or supermarket has a café or seating area to eat and drink, then face coverings can be removed in this area only.
Wearing a face covering is not mandatory in other 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
