The places where face masks MUST be worn in England from this weekend

The changes were announced by the Prime Minister in a press conference on Friday, July 31 – giving the public more than a week’s notice of the mandatory changes on wearing the coverings, which will become law on Saturday, August 8.

At the same press conference, Mr Johnson halted planned changes to the Covid-19 regulations on Saturday, August 1 for at least two weeks due to virus numbers ‘creeping up’ in the community.

These changes would have included the reopening of bowling alleys, casinos and close-contact services such as facial treatments and makeup appointments, as well of wedding receptions for up to 30 people being allowed for the first time.

It is already mandatory to wear face coverings in shops, on public transport and in hospitals and GP surgeries.

They are recommended for use anywhere else where you may not be able to keep your distance from those you would not normally see.

But from this Saturday, a number of other places are being added to the mandatory list.

According to official advice on the Government website, these are:

*Funeral directors

*Premises providing professional, legal or financial services

*Cinemas

*Theatres

*Bingo halls

*Concert halls

*Museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, or other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites.

*Nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers - other than where necessary to remove for treatments

*Massage parlours

*Public areas in hotels and hostels

*Places of worship

*Libraries and public reading rooms

*Community centres

*Social clubs

*Tattoo and piercing parlours

*Indoor entertainment venues (amusement arcades, funfairs, adventure activities e.g. laser quest, go-karting, escape rooms, heritage sites etc)

*Storage and distribution facilities

*Veterinary services

*Auction houses

There are a number of exemptions to wearing a face covering, including being unable to do so due to a mental or physical illness, to eat or drink if reasonably necessary and for children aged under 11.

Visit the Government website for the most up-to-date guidance.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops.

Thank you for your support.