Mcb777 APPFacemasks become compulsory in shops, banks & takeaways from TODAY | The Sun - Machibet777 Live

FACEMASKS have become compulsory in shops, banks & takeaways in England from today - and you face a £100 fine for not wearing one.

The Government yesterday revealed a list of all the places people will be expected to cover up to stay safe.

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A woman covering up in a supermarket in East London as the laws changed todayCredit: PA:Press Association

A woman not wearing a face mask in Sainsbury's

Shoppers covered up in Primark todayCredit: Mercury Press

People have to wear a mask in supermarkets from todayCredit: Darren Fletcher

How to make a homemade mask

IF you're unable to find a mask, you could make your own at home.

Homemade masks won't offer the same level of protection as medical-grade ones, but it hasn't stopped DIY tutorials popping up online.

One of the simplest ones involves using two layers of kitchen roll and one tissue cut in half.

You then cover each end with masking tape - and you can even tape down some wire to stiffen the mask, if you have any.

Finish by punching holes in each end and threading elastic through to fit around your ears.

If you don't have elastic bands you could also use a hair tie.

They were already mandatory on public transport, and the advice follows the law changing in Scotland earlier this month too.

Ministers say when people cannot socially distance and stay 2m apart from another person, they should consider other things to stay safe - like wearing a mask.

The face coverings do not have to be medical grade - they can be as simple as a scarf or a bandanna that ties behind the head to give a snug fit.

But Asda and Sainsbury’s won’t enforce new rules saying customers must wear face masks in shops from today.

The supermarkets have joined other shops including Costa Coffee saying it is not their responsibility to ‘police' customers.

Face coverings must be worn in:

Retail shops
Cafes where there is no table service
Takeaway venues
Banks and building societies
Supermarkets
Charity shops
Post offices
Shopping centres
Train stations and airports

Last week the Government sparked mass confusion over whether people would have to wear them in sandwich shops.

Matt Hancock had said people would have to, but the Cabinet Office said they did not need to.

Shoppers have to wear a mask inside the shopping centre too - not just the actual shopCredit: AFP or licensors

Yesterday official Government advice confirmed that if someone was going into any kind of shop, they would need to mask up.

However, if they were sitting down in a cafe, they could take it off to eat or drink.

Yet the Government has insisted that shop owners won't have to enforce the law themselves.

The police will only be called as a last resort, or if things turn violent.

Devon and Cornwall's police and crime commissioner said cops were far too busy to enforce the Covid-19 fighting law unless there was violence or disorder involved.

Deaths among shop workers were staggeringly 75 per cent higher for men and 60 per cent higher for women than among the general public, health secretary Mr Hancock previously revealed.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Everyone must play their part in fighting this virus by following this new guidance.”

His department said face coverings should be stored in a plastic bag until they can be washed or disposed of.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said those not wearing their masks properly over both mouth and nose will be “advised as to the right and safest way” to wear them rather than be immediately fined up to £100 for non-compliance.

However, there are several exemptions from having to wear a mask:

A child under the age of 11
An employee of the transport operator, when they are acting in the course of their employment
Any other person providing services to the transport operator, under arrangements made with the transport operator, who is providing those services
A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
An emergency responder such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
An official, for example, a border force officer, acting in the course of their duties
If you are allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation, at any time when you are in that accommodation, either alone, or only with members of your own household or a linked household
If you are on board public transport but remain in your private vehicle, for example on a car ferry