New Face Coverings regulations include bars, restaurants, etc

“The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place and on Public Transport)(England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 apply in England and come into force tomorrow, 24th September.

The Explanatory Notes to the regulations state that they amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/791) (“the Relevant Place Regulations”) to include theatres, restaurants, bars and public houses in the scope of the “relevant places” where members of the public are required to wear face coverings, except for in some limited cases such as when it is reasonably necessary for a person to remove their face covering to eat or drink.

They also require employees and other persons providing services in certain “relevant places”, including in shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and public houses to wear face coverings when they are in close proximity to members of the public unless they are exempt or have a reasonable excuse.

The instrument also amends the fixed penalty notice provisions made in the Relevant Place Regulations and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/592) (“the Public Transport Regulations”) to increase the fixed penalty fines that are payable for any breaches of the Face Coverings Regulations or the Public Transport Regulations.

Further details to follow when Guidance is available….”