In England, it is only mandatory to wear a face covering when visiting shops and supermarkets, and whilst using public transport. However, you’re strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

For the latest advice on face coverings in England, visit the UK government’s publication; Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own.

Do I need to wear a face mask on public transport?

Yes – Face masks are a requirement for everyone on all public transport in England. This includes transport hubs, such as train stations and terminals, airports, ports, bus and coach stations or terminals.

Do I need to wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets?

Yes – Face masks are required in shops and supermarkets in England. A shop is defined by the UK government as any place open to the public that wholly or mainly offers goods or services for retail sale or hire.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a restaurant?

No – Face masks are not required in restaurants offering a table service.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a takeaway restaurant?

Yes – Face masks are required in takeaway restaurants when going in to pay for food or drink and taking it out with you. However, you may remove your mask if consuming the food or drink in the takeaway restaurant seating area.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a bar?

No – Face masks are not required in a bar offering a table service.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a pub?

No – Face masks are not required in a pub offering a table service.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a coffee shop?

Yes – Face masks are required in coffee shops when going in to pay for food or drink and taking it out with you. However, you may remove your mask if consuming the food or drink in the coffee shop seating area.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a cinema?

No – Face masks are not required at the cinema.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a casino?

No – Face masks are not required at the casino.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a gym?

No – Face masks are not required in a gym.

Do I need to wear a face mask at the dentist?

No – Face masks are not required at the dentist.

Do I need to wear a face mask at the opticians?

No – Face masks are not required at the opticians.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a museum?

No – Face masks are not required in a museum but must be worn in the shop.

Do I need to wear a face mask at a heritage site?

No – Face masks are not required at a heritage site but must be worn in the shop.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a bank?

Yes – Face masks are required at banks and building societies in England.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a post office?

Yes – Face masks are required in post offices in England.

What happens if I don’t wear a face mask in a shop or supermarket?

Shops, supermarkets and other premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption.

You may also be fined by the police up to £100, or £50 if paid within 14 days.

What happens if I don’t wear a face mask on public transport?

Transport operators can deny access to their public transport services if a passenger is not wearing a face covering, or direct them to wear one or leave a service if they are not wearing a face covering.

If necessary, the police and Transport for London (TfL) officers have enforcement powers including issuing fines of £100 (halving to £50 if paid within 14 days).

What happens if I don’t wear a face mask when it is required?

Shops, supermarkets and public transport operators will not be required to enforce the mask wearing rules themselves, but don’t be surprised if you’re refused entry or travel, if you don’t comply with face covering requirements.

Anyone caught by the police not complying with the face covering rules will be subject to a fine up to £100, or £50 if paid within 14 days.

In Scotland, it is only mandatory to wear a face mask in shops, on public transport and whilst using public transport premises such as railways, bus stations and airports. However, it is still recommended that face coverings are worn in enclosed spaces, where physical distancing is more difficult and where close contact is made with multiple people who are not members of the same household.

For the latest advice on face coverings in Scotland, visit the Scottish government’s publication; Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: staying safe and protecting others.

Do I need to wear a face mask on public transport in Scotland?

Yes – Face masks are required on public transport in Scotland. They must be worn by all passengers and staff or operators in the following settings:

• train services including the Glasgow subway
• bus services and the Edinburgh tram
• taxi and private hire vehicles
• bus stations, railway stations (including open air stations) and airports
• ferry services (unless the ferry is open to the elements and physical distancing can be achieved, or the vessel is large enough that physical distancing can be achieved)
• airline services

Do I need to wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets in Scotland?

Yes – Face masks are required in shops and supermarkets in Scotland.

In Scotland, a shop is defined as any indoor establishment which offers goods or services for sale or hire. This includes anywhere that offers some goods for hire, for example if a library offers DVDs or CDs for hire.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a cafe in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in cafes in Scotland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a coffee shop in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in coffee shops in Scotland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a restaurant in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in restaurants in Scotland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a pub in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in pubs in Scotland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a bank in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in banks in Scotland.

Do I need to wear a face mask in a building society in Scotland?

No – Face masks are not required in building societies in Scotland.

In Wales, it will become mandatory to wear a face mask on all public transport from Monday 27 July 2020. Whilst this has been implemented to bring Wales in line with the rest of the UK on public transport requirements, the first minister has stressed that face masks will not become a requirement in Welsh shops or supermarkets.

For the latest advice on face coverings in Wales, visit the Welsh government’s publication; Face coverings: frequently asked questions.

Do I need to wear a face mask on public transport in Wales?

Yes – From Monday 27 July, it will be a requirement for people to wear face masks on all public transport – buses, trains, and taxis.

Do I need to wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets in Wales?

No – The Welsh government is not enforcing the use of face masks in shops and supermarkets at this stage.

In Northern Ireland, it is mandatory to wear a face mask on public transport and will become compulsory in shops and supermarkets from August 2020. Despite these two settings being the only enforced by the government, it is recommended that you consider wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not possible. 

For the latest advice on face coverings in Northern Ireland, visit the Northern Irish government’s publication; Covid-19: Information for the public.

Do I need to wear a face mask on public transport in Northern Ireland?

Yes – Face masks are required on public transport in Northern Ireland. This ruling applies to all passengers and staff whilst; 

• travelling on bus, coach and train services
• in public transport stations
• using indoor areas of a ferry and outdoor areas where a two metre social distance cannot be maintained

This ruling does not apply to taxies, private hire vehicles, tour coaches or school transport. However, some firms may have their own rules which you should follow.

Do I need to wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets in Northern Ireland?

Yes – From 1 August 2020, face masks will become compulsory in shops and supermarkets in Northern Ireland. It will then become enforced from 20 August 2020.