Wearing Face Coverings

Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own

Summary

In England, face coverings must now be worn in shops and shopping centres, in transport hubs and on public transport - see the 'When to wear a face covering' section below.

In other indoor settings where a face covering is not legally required, you should still continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.

Some people, including children under 11, are exempt from having to wear face coverings in any setting. Furthermore, anyone with a health condition or disability, which means they cannot wear a face covering, has a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering.

When to wear a face covering

From 30 November 2021, there are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse (see the 'When you do not need to wear a face covering' section below).

In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (examples are given in brackets):

• Shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire).
• Shopping centres (malls and indoor markets).
• Auction houses.
• Post offices, banks, building societies, high street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses.
• Estate and letting agents.
• Premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (barbers, hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, nail salons and massage centres).
• Pharmacies.
• Premises providing veterinary services.
• Retail galleries.
• Retail travel agents.
• Takeaways without space for consumption of food or drink on premises.
• Public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries), taxis and private hire vehicles.
• Any car or small van during a professionally delivered driving lesson, a practical driving test, or during one of the practical tests for giving driving instruction, and in all HGV lessons and tests.
• Transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals).

Staff within these settings, except some transport workers (see the 'Face coverings at work' section below), are required to wear face coverings when they are in a part that is open to the public. Staff may also wear face coverings when working in settings where face coverings are not required, and businesses are encouraged to support them in doing so.

You are required to wear a face covering on entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse for removing it. Examples of what would usually be a reasonable excuse are listed in the 'If you are not able to wear a face covering' section below.

You should continue to wear a face covering in other indoor places that are not listed above, which are crowded and enclosed and where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Face coverings at work

Transport workers

Most transport workers are not required to wear a face covering. However, face coverings offer some benefits particularly in crowded and enclosed settings.

Public health advice is that staff wear a face covering when they are in crowded and enclosed settings or in passenger facing roles for example, when providing assistance to disabled passengers. It is recognised that there will be exceptional circumstances when a staff member cannot wear a face covering, or when their task makes it sensible (based on a risk assessment) for them not to wear a face covering.

Latest advice from the Department of Transport:

• Safer Travel Guidance for passengers (opens new window)
• Safer Travel Guidance for operators (opens new window)

Using taxis and private hire vehicles

Help keep yourself, other passengers and transport staff safe by taking the following precautions:

• Plan your journey and check your route.
• Open or keep windows open for ventilation where it is possible for you to do so.
• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Dispose of waste safely, including items such as used disposable face coverings.

You must not travel at all if you are:

• Experiencing anyCOVID-19 symptoms (opens new window), even if they are mild.
• Self-isolating.

If you are a contact of someone who has COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated, or aged under 18 years six months, you are not required to self-isolate unless that person has been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant.

If you wish to discuss this further please email licensingteam@breckland.gov.uk.