PEOPLE will have to wear face coverings in more public settings or face harsher fines in the Government's strategy to suppress the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions that will come into force from Thursday - including several around face coverings.

It had been a legal requirement for people to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport.

This will go further.

Mr Johnson said today that people who work in retail will now have to wear face coverings and so will all staff who work in the hospitality industry.

Customers in pubs and restaurants will also now be required to wear face coverings inside venues if they are moving around, but not when they are sat at a table.

Everyone in taxis will also now have to wear a face covering.

The penalty for failing to cover your face will be doubled to £200, said Mr Johnson.

There are exemptions on face masks for certain groups. These include:

  • Children under 11
  • People who cannot wear one due to a mental or physical illness, impairment or disability
  • Where a mask causes the wearer severe distress
  • Someone speaking to a person who relies on lip reading or clear sound or facial expressions

And businesses will be fined up to £10,000 if they breach Covid Restrictions and in retail, leisure and tourism and other sectors, the Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations.

Mr Johnson said that unless the country makes significant progress in its fight against coronavirus, the restrictions could remain in place “for perhaps six months”.

It was said in a press conference on Monday by government chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance that some vaccines could be available to certain people by the of this year, though it was much more likely to be in the first half of next year.

He said: "He said: "We are taking decisive and appropriate steps to balance saving lives with protecting jobs and livelihoods.

"I know all of this will have profound consequences for our constituents so the Government will give the House every opportunity to scrutinise our decisions in addition to regular statements and debates, honourable members will be able to question the Government's scientific advisers more regularly