Facemasks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England from next week, the government said on Tuesday, in a U-turn on previous policy. "The Prime Minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from July 24," Boris Johnson's office said. Facemasks have been mandatory on public transport across the country since 15 June, and Scotland has already made the coverings compulsory for shoppers. UK Environment Secretary George Eustice said Tuesday the government was changing its advice in accordance with developments in scientific thinking. Britain has been one of the countries worst hit by the virus, with nearly 45,000 deaths from positive coronavirus cases, according to an official government tally.

Source: Standard Digital July 14, 2020 12:11 UTC