COVID-19 Updated Guidelines

Government guidelines updated 30th November 2021

The Government’s COVID-19 guidelines have been updated to reflect the re-introduction of mandatory mask wearing in many businesses. Full details can be found by clicking here to access the guidelines on GOV.UK. In addition, here are extracts of key information that could impact the steps you take as a business owner or Manager:

Where a face covering must be worn

From 30 November 2021, there are some places where a face covering must be worn by law, unless a person is exempt or has a reasonable excuse.

Click here to download the Government’s Face Covering Poster

In England, a face covering must be worn 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.

A face covering is required to be worn on entering any of these settings and must be kept on until you leaving unless a person is exempt or has 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.

A face covering should also be worn 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 are not legally required in hospitality settings given that they cannot be worn while eating and drinking (see the ‘When you do not need to wear a face covering’ section below).

Face coverings and face masks are needed in healthcare settings to comply with infection, prevention, control (IPC) guidance. This includes hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They should also be worn by everyone accessing or visiting care homes.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has updated its guidance on safer travel for passengers.

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, one should still continue to be worn 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.

Employers

Staff working in settings where face coverings are not legally required can choose to wear a face covering. Employers and businesses should support people, including staff, if they choose to wear a face covering in these settings.

Employers can also choose to ask their staff or customers to wear a face covering, even if they are not legally required. When deciding whether you will ask workers or customers to wear a face covering, you need to consider the reasonable adjustments needed for staff and customers with disabilities. You also need to consider carefully how this fits with other obligations to workers and customers arising from the law on employment rights, health and safety and equality legislation.

Some people are not able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. You will also need to consider carefully your obligations arising from equality legislation. Also, it is permitted to remove a face covering to communicate with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound.

Click on the link here for full GOV.UK guidelines as updated 30th November 2021.