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
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Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place on Sunday 8 November from 10:30am onwards.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
Police issue statement following several stabbings in and around Manchester Arndale this month
Emily Sergeant
The police have issued an update following several stabbings, primarily involving teenagers, in and around Manchester Arndale this month.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Withy Grove at around 7pm on Tuesday evening (27 October), and once they attended the scene, the found a 13-year-old boy who’d sustained injuries consistent with knife wounds, and he was subsequently rushed hospital where he’s said to remain in a ‘stable condition’.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and GMP confirmed there will be an ‘increased police presence’ in the area as the investigation continues.
Section 60 and Section 60AA ‘stop and search’ warrants have been authorised following this most recent incident, and remain in place.
It has also been confirmed that four teenagers have been arrested in connection.
Three boys – aged 14, 15 and 16 – have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning, while another boy, aged 13, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, GMP confirmed.
Providing an update following the several stabbings this month, Superintendent Simon Nasim, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “Firstly my thoughts are with the young boy who was injured and I wish him a quick recovery.
“We are aware of the other incidents in the city centre of this nature, but at this stage they are not thought to be linked. Our communities should not be in fear of harm, and our priority is taking effective action with partners against those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“Knife crime is understandably a concern amongst our communities, and we have dedicated teams who will be deployed across the city centre to hotspot areas to strengthen our response to violent crime, and provide a reassuring message to our public.
“But we cannot tackle it alone. We rely on the cooperation of the public, to report anything that looks suspicious or any incidents to us, and we will be sure to act on it.
“Our investigation into [Tuesday’s] incident is ongoing, I urge anyone with information to please come forward.”
Can you help? Anyone with information, including witnesses or those with CCTV or mobile phone footage, are asked to contact police on 0161 856 1495, or via the LiveChat function on the GMP website, quoting log 3058 of 28/10/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
14th July 2020 
