Face coverings are no longer required by law in any setting. Public health guidance will remain in place, suggesting individuals should continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Customers, visitors or staff may choose to wear face coverings in any setting.

Health and Care Settings

Face coverings and face masks will continue to be required in health and care settings to comply with infection prevention and control (IPC) and adult social care guidance. This includes hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They must also be worn by everyone accessing or visiting care homes.

You are required to wear a face covering on entering these healthcare settings and must keep it on until you leave unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse for removing it. Examples of what would usually be a reasonable excuse are listed at ‘If you are not able to wear a face covering’.

Transport

Whilst there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering, operators are free to set their own requirements for wearing face coverings and you should check with the operator of the service you are using before travelling.

For any more information, you can view the Government’s safer travel guidance for passengers at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers.

Transport for London (TfL)

As outlined above, operators are free to set their own requirements for wearing face coverings. TfL have set their own requirements, meaning you must wear a face covering on the Transport for London network, in stations, and for the whole of your journey. If you do not, and you are not exempt, you could be refused entry, denied travel or told to leave our stations and services. This applies on the Tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail networks; Dial-a-Ride services; the Emirates Air Line; and the Woolwich ferry. TfL also expects and recommends the continued use of face covering in taxis and private hire vehicles by both drivers and passengers unless they are exempt.

For any more information, please visit: https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/face-coverings.

Education

It is no longer recommended that pupils and students in year 7 and above wear face coverings in classrooms, other teaching areas and communal areas.

You can view the Department for Education’s updated guidance on the use of face coverings for schools, early years settings, out of school settings, and further and higher education settings at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-restrictions-in-education-and-childcare-settings.