FACE masks will still be needed in some settings – despite the rule being scrapped as Boris Johnson ditches Plan B.
Commuters using all public transport in London will still be required to wear a face covering – while some supermarkets will be asking customers to don a mask in their stores.
Government rules which made face coverings compulsory in many public settings came to an end today in England as the PM also ordered workers back to the office and did away with Covid vaccine passports.
But although the PM has told Brits they no longer need face masks, Sadiq Khan has told city dwellers they must still be worn on the Tube and all London transport.
Those in the capital will have to continue wearing face coverings as they remain a “condition of carriage” on TfL services.
It means commuters who don’t comply could be denied travel, although they can no longer receive a fine or prosecution from cops.
Nationwide, mask-wearing rules are expected to stay on public transport, but will no longer be enforced by law and instead recommended through guidance.
Meanwhile, some supermarkets will continue to encouraging shoppers to wear a mask in store.
Customers at Sainsbury’s will be requested but not required to wear face masks in stores from Thursday onwards.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Trending In The News “Safety remains our highest priority.
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“We continue to have a range of safety measures in all of our stores, including screens and sanitising stations.”
Like Sainsbury’s, Asda will also not expect customers to wear face masks while shopping – but asks people to “consider wearing one in crowded spaces”.
Waitrose and John Lewis stores will continue to advise customers wear a mask while shopping, yet will no longer enforce the practice.
Tesco, M&S, Aldi and Lidl have not revealed their guidance yet, but are expected to introduce a voluntary mask policy.
While the legal requirement for face masks has been slashed, government guidance continues to recommend people wear on in enclosed or crowded spaces – especially when mixing with those they don’t usually meet with.
The PM also ordered reluctant headteachers to ditch the use of masks in classrooms – but some overcautious schools are resisting the government’s advice that face coverings are no longer necessary.
Teachers were told to stop making kids wear them during lessons last Friday and that they should be dropped from communal areas too from Thursday morning.
But schools can bring back mask rules if there are high levels of Covid in their local area, Nadhim Zahawi said this week.
