Boris Johnson hints at making people wear masks in shops saying ‘we have to be stricter in insisting people wear them’

BORIS Johnson has hinted that he WILL make people wear masks in shops in future – saying that the Government needs to be „stricter” in making people wearing them.

Masks have been mandatory on public transport since June 15 but only 21 fines have been dished out by police.

And its currently only advised for people to wear them in shops and in other enclosed spaces – where people cannot stay 2m apart.

Anyone not wearing one on a train, bus or other form of public transport can be fined £100.

Last week TFL and National Rail were given powers to enforce the fines, after nudges and reminders were deemed to not be effective in making people wear them.

The PM said today during a ‘People’s PMQs’ session with the public in Downing Street: „We need to be stricter in insisting people wear face coverings in confined places when meeting people they don’t normally meet.

„So that’s why it’s mandatory already on public transport, and we’re looking at ways of making sure that people really do observe when you do have face coverings in shops for instance where … there is a risk of transmission.”

However, he added that he does not think that the public will wear face coverings all the time.

We need to be stricter in insisting people wear face coverings in confined places when meeting people they don’t normally meet.

Boris Johnson
And he added that more information was coming all the time, saying: „You’re right in what you say the balance of scientific opinion seems to have shifted more in favour of them than it was.

„We are very keen to follow that.”

But he stressed that hand washing was even more important and effective in controlling the virus.

Matt Hancock told times radio this evening: „The rules are really clear

„If you are in an NHS setting, you need to wear a mask. If you are on public transport, you need to wear a mask.

„If you are in shops, it’s recommended in some shops, but it isn’t mandatory.”

Police were pictured speaking to people without an appropriate coverings in Underground stations earlier this week.

Yesterday Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed 18,037 passengers had been reminded to wear one, while 817 people were asked to leave the network for refusing.

TFL have also prevented 3000 people from getting on London buses for not wearing a mask.

Mr Shapps tweeted: „REMINDER: unless exempt, wearing a face-covering is MANDATORY on public transport. Compliance rate near 90% with @BTPreminding 18,037 passengers, 817 ‘leave network’ directions & 21 fixed penalties notices issued + @TfL stopped 3,000 from getting on buses. Let’s protect everyone.”

Signs in stations, posters and public announcements remind the public to wear a mask.