What Is A Face Covering?
In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.
Face coverings are instead largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
A face visor or shield may be worn in addition to a face covering but not instead of one. This is because face visors or shields do not adequately cover the nose and mouth.
Where to wear a face covering?
There are some places where you must wear a face mask, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse;
- shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
- 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
- Public facing funeral offices
- Takeaways without space for consumption of food or drink on premises
- Shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
- Community centres (including village halls), youth centres, members clubs and social clubs
- Libraries and public reading rooms
- Polling stations and premises used for the counting of votes
- Places of worship
- Crematoria and burial ground chapels
- Visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, indoor theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, indoor areas at aquariums, zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, indoor sports stadiums, funfairs, indoor theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)
- Public areas in hotels and hostels
- Indoor areas of open-air sports stadiums
- Public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries), taxis and private hire vehicles
- Cars or small vans during any professionally delivered driving lesson, during any driving test, and during any practical test to qualify as an approved driving instructor
- Heavy goods vehicle (HGVs) during any driving lesson and during any driving test
- Driving theory test centres
- Transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
- Motorway service areas
However, Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas and use their your own judgment to decide if you wear a face mask or covering or not.
Face coverings are needed in NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They are also advised to be worn in care homes.
Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and is not required by law.
- Exception from face covering badges (for a mobile phone)
- Exception from face covering badges (to print)
- Exception from face covering card (to print)
Those who have an age, health or disability reason to not wear a face covering should not be routinely asked to provide any written evidence of this. Written evidence includes exemption cards.
| Do’s And Don’ts About wearing Face Mask’s and Face Covering’s |
|---|
| Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on |
| Change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it |
| Avoid wearing on your neck or forehead |
| Avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus |
| Avoid taking it off and putting it back on a lot in quick succession (for example, when leaving and entering shops on a high street) |
| When Removing Face Mask’s and Face Covering’s |
|---|
| Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on |
| Only handle the straps, ties or clips |
| If single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle |
| If reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric |
| Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed |
| Do not give it to someone else to use |
Please see the links below for more information;
- Face masks Guidance .gov
- Face masks in hospitals
- Face masks on all public transport
- A full list of places of where to wear a face mask or face covering
All links come from trusted sources, however, if you are unsure about them or any other medical concerns, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice