The government decision comes as the use of face masks becomes mandatory in shops, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets in England, StokeSentinel reports.
The new rules come into effect from Monday. People have to cover their faces while shopping or visiting the courts, pubs, post offices or other social places. The decision is being imposed to minimise the risk of COVID in the governmental buildings such as courts, tribunals or banks though people may need to temporarily remove masks for identification purposes.
Those speaking or giving evidence in the courtroom may also be made to remove their face coverings by a judge but must maintain a strict two-metre distance.
Every rule has an exemption, indeed. In case of the mandatory face coverings, the exemptions also apply to people with disabilities or health issues that make wearing masks difficult and the deaf, who may need to read another person’s lips.
Courtrooms themselves will “continue to be covered by the current guidance” which says that court users may wear face coverings whilst in the courtroom, the authorities said.
The new- restricted- guidance refers to the use of face coverings in English courts and tribunals only. People attending buildings in Wales and Scotland are also permitted to wear them, but they are not mandatory.
The announcement comes as the use of face coverings becomes mandatory in shops, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets in England.
