Facemasks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from next week, the government said on Tuesday, in a U-turn on previous policy.<\/p>\n
The new legislation will come into force in England on July 24, after weeks of wrangling from ministers about their effectiveness.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from July 24, Boris Johnsons office said.<\/p>\n
There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus, it said in a statement.<\/p>\n
People who fail to cover their face risk a fine of up to 100 ($123, 109 euros) with enforcement to be carried out by the police.<\/p>\n
Johnson, who spent several days battling COVID-19 in intensive care, on Monday said the measure was extra insurance against the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n
I do think in shops its very important to wear a face covering if youre going to be in a confined space to protect other people, and receive protection, he said.<\/p>\n
Johnson has been pictured recently wearing a blue facemask bought for 2 from a high-street bargain store.<\/p>\n
But Johnsons senior cabinet colleague, Michael Gove, on Sunday appeared to rule out the compulsory wearing of facemasks, saying ministers trusted peoples good sense.<\/p>\n
Facemasks have been mandatory on public transport across the country since June 15, and Scotland has already made the coverings compulsory for shoppers.<\/p>\n
UK Environment Secretary George Eustice said Tuesday the government was changing its advice in accordance with developments in scientific thinking.<\/p>\n
The evidence, the understanding, has been evolving, he told Sky News television. I dont think its unreasonable to ask the public now to go to that next step.<\/p>\n
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will outline the new policy in parliament later on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
But there are already concerns from the police who have called it nigh on enforceable.<\/p>\n
Shopkeepers need to step up to the plate and take some responsibility, said Ken Marsh, of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers.<\/p>\n
They can quite easily put signs up on their doors No mask on, no entry, this is private property.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties have also accused the government of dithering and asked why the policy is being delayed until July 24.<\/p>\n
Ben Bradshaw, from the Labour party, called the governments approach a total shambles.<\/p>\n
Britain has been one of the countries worst hit by the virus, with nearly 45,000 deaths from positive coronavirus cases, according to an official government tally.<\/p>\n
Broader statistics taking into account suspected cases puts the death toll at more than 50,000.<\/p>\n
The government was also warned on Tuesday that a second wave of infections could see 120,000 deaths in hospitals alone in a reasonable worst-case scenario if no action was taken now.<\/p>\n
The Academy of Medical Sciences said the government needed to prepare immediately to prevent the state-run National Health Service (NHS) from being overwhelmed from September.<\/p>\n
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UK in U-turn as it makes facemasks mandatory in shops - Macau Business<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Facemasks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from next week, the government said on Tuesday, in a U-turn on previous policy. Continue reading