The government is set to announce today that the wearing of a mask/face covering in all shops in England is to become mandatory from 24th July.
Under these new regulations, it is stated that fines of up to £100 will be enforced by police officers for those whole fail to comply.
This fine will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
A spokesperson for No.10 confirmed yesterday evening that: “There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus. The prime minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from 24 July.”
Since mid-May, the public have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may encounter people they would not usually meet.
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With this new guidance expected to be detailed in full and officially released by the UK government today, where exactly are face masks and coverings already mandatory in England, and where will they be as of 24th July 2020?
We’re not back to normal yet.
It is vital that you continue to keep a safe distance from others.
In situations where you can't keep 2 metres apart, stay at least 1 metre apart while taking other extra precautions.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) July 13, 2020
It was declared that from 15th June 2020 it would become mandatory for anyone travelling by bus, train, ferry or plane in England to wear a face covering.
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A number of passengers are exempt from the regulations including:
Children under 11.
People with disabilities.
Those with breathing difficulties.
Anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading.
These regulations also state if it is “reasonably necessary” for you to eat or drink, then you are permitted to remove the face covering in order to do so.
The modes of public transport that are excluded from the above regulations cruise ships, school transport, taxis and private hire vehicles, however, ride-sharing company Uber did make face coverings compulsory for all drivers and passengers from 15th June too.
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Passengers can be refused travel if they don’t follow the face covering rules and can be fined as a last resort.
Environment Secretary George Eustice has appeared on a number of media outlets live this morning to discuss the new face covering regulations that are set to become mandatory and has indicated that the wearing of masks will however not be compulsory in restaurants, eateries, bars and pubs, although confirmation of this in full is expected along with the published guidance today.
When questioned, Mr Eustice also went on to defend the Government’s delay on bringing the new measures in, stating that it was based on “changing evidence”.
Please refer to official sources via the gov.uk/coronavirus website here for more information on the above upon release.
You can also visit the @PHE_uk interactive dashboard which included local authority data for England: ➡️ https://t.co/8OHvHj6yyM
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) July 13, 2020
#StaySafeSaveLives
News
‘Manipulative’ man jailed for life after setting ex-partner’s house on fire while she slept
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed for life after he set his ex-partner’s house on fire while she was asleep.
Nicholas Martin, from Leicester, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (10 November) where he was sentenced to 30 years in prison after previously being found guilty of attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a trial back in September.
The 63-year-old was also made the subject of a life-long restraining order against the victim.
It comes after Martin, at around 5:10am on 22 October 2024, poured petrol through the letterbox of his ex-partner’s house and set it alight before leaving the area.
The victim was initially woken in the middle of the night after hearing her letterbox snapping closed and then heard a crackling sound which resembled a log burner.
Shortly after she realised her house was on fire, she proceeded to jump out of her first-floor bedroom window to safety, and although she survived the attack, she did suffer two broken ankles and a broken vertebrae in her back from the jump.
Very sadly though, the victim’s pet cat was killed in the fire.
#JAILED | Man jailed for 30 years after setting fire to victim’s house whilst she slept
Nicholas Martin (28/8/1962) of Bosworth Street, Leicester, was found guilty of attempt murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a trial at the same court on Wednesday 10 September pic.twitter.com/pDj8Clh74G
Martin had been in a relationship with the woman since 2019, but became increasingly controlling over the years, and had been monitoring her movements by installing home cameras, prevented her from seeing family members, constantly criticising her, and even controlling what she could eat, wear, and watch on television.
At the time of the offence, Martin was on bail for a previous assault with conditions in place for him not to contact the victim and to reside in Leicester – but he left his bail address, rented a car, and drove to Worsley.
He booked into a hotel and waited until the middle of the night to execute his attack when he knew his ex-partner would be asleep.
Martin was arrested on 23 October 2024 at a hotel in the Lake District, where a can containing petrol was recovered in the hotel room wardrobe.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed he made no comment in his police interview and went on to plead ‘not guilty’ at court. Despite later admitting to causing the fire, he claimed he had no intention to kill the woman.
“Martin undertook a campaign of abuse against his victim lasting a number of years,” explained Detective Constable Zoe Bellis, from GMP’s Salford CID following the sentencing.
“His last act nearly resulted in a woman’s death and I am thankful of [the] sentencing result putting this despicable individual behind bars and away from harming other victims.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Police issue urgent appeal to help find missing pregnant woman
Danny Jones
Police in Longsight and Moss Side have shared an urgent appeal to help find a pregnant woman who went missing from Manchester this past Thursday.
The 34-year-old, thus far identified only as Jessica, was last seen around 7pm on 6 November.
Believed to be a Longsight local, she was last spotted in the area heading in the direction of Wythenshawe, but also has connections to other Greater Manchester areas.
It has now been over four days since she was most recently seen in person; her friends, family and authorities are understandably growing worried about her welfare.
— Longsight & Moss Side Police (GMP) (@GMPLongsight) November 10, 2025
Described as a white female with long brown hair, she was wearing a big coat and leggings at the time of her disappearance.
While details like her height and particulars surrounding clothing still remain unclear, she is heavily pregnant at around seven months with a noticeable bump.
Obviously, given her pregnancy, she is considered a vulnerable missing persons case.
Sharing a follow-up statement after the original post was shared by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Longsight and Moss Side’s neighbourhood policing team added: Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about [Jessica] and want to make sure she is found safe and well.
They say that “extensive enquiries” have also been received and looked into since she was initially reported missing to us.
She is also said to have connections not only to the borough of Stockport but people in Manchester city centre, as well.
Officers are therefore asking anyone with any info they think might be helpful; you can contact the services via 101 quoting MSP/06A3/000/1558/25. As always, in the case of emergencies, please dial 999immediately.
The Manc -
14th July 2020 
