Face coverings are compulsory in England shops from today: Here’s what you need to know
From 24 July, people will be required to cover their nose and mouth whenever they enter shops and supermarkets - and may be refused entry if they do not comply.
As of today, face coverings are required in all shops and supermarkets in England.
From 24 July, people will be required to cover their nose and mouth in particular public places.
These locations include all stores and supermarkets – as well as takeaways and any other outlet where you will not be sitting down to eat (such as sandwich shops).
The use of masks has been the subject of intense debate since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, although figures show that more Brits are now wearing them than ever before.
So, what has changed? And what does this mean for shoppers? This is what you need to know.
There has been a steady rise in the use of the face coverings since the beginning of the pandemic.
Research conducted in April showed that less than 8% of people always covered their nose and mouth when they left their homes.
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However, over the course of subsequent months, mask usage increased.
Data collected in June revealed that almost 20% of Brits now never left the house without one.
Whilst more people are becoming increasingly convinced by the benefits of wearing masks indoors, the upturn in use is also partly down to new laws.
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Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made masks compulsory on Scottish public transport in June and in shops earlier this month.
Face coverings became mandatory on trains, buses and trams in England on 15 June.
Now, the rules have been extended to supermarkets, stores and shops selling food to takeaway.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government found face coverings instilled “confidence” in shoppers, offering “additional protection” when people are not able to keep 2 metres apart.
Who needs to wear a mask and who doesn’t?
The vast majority of people will be required to keep their nose and mouth covered in supermarkets and shops in England.
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However, the Government did highlight a small number of individuals who would be exempt from the rule.
Children under 11 and those with “certain disabilities”, for example, will not be required to wear masks.
You may not have to use face covering if you have legitimate reason, such as:
Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
You are also permitted to remove your face covering if asked by shop staff for identification purposes (e.g. when purchasing alcohol) or to take medication.
Face coverings are widely available in shops, stores, supermarkets – so you may be able to ask a friend or family member who already owns a mask to purchase one for you.
They’re also sold online from a wide number of retailers. However, many people are choosing to make their own.
The Government has published a step-by-step guide to help you create a homemade mask here.
News
Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
The Manc -
23rd July 2020 
