The UK government announced a new set of measures on Tuesday to help curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson first confirmed the new restrictions to MPs in the House of Commons in the afternoon, before speaking to the nation in a direct address in the evening.
A number of these significant restrictions officially come into force today.
As well as updated guidance and legislation introduced for a 10pm curfew on hospitality venues, the rule of six, and working from home, these measures also crucially include new locations in which the wearing of face masks and coverings are now legally required by law except in the case of exemption.
The wearing of face coverings in certain public settings has been a mandatory requirement in England for the last month or so – with fines of £100 (reducing to £50 if paid within 14 days) – but other places join the list today.
It was also announced that the government will now bring forward changes for failing to comply with face covering rules.
This means that for repeat offenders, fines would double at each offence up to a maximum value of £6,400.
New restrictions have been introduced in England to reduce the spread of #COVID19, including:
▶️Working from home, if you can ▶️Closing of hospitality venues by 10pm ▶️Stricter enforcement of rules around self-isolation & wearing face coveringshttps://t.co/jZcQqL0t5Kpic.twitter.com/1QSh39H40A
Where is it now mandatory to wear a face covering from today?
It is now a legal requirement to wear a mask when you are in the following venues, on top of all the places you already had to wear one.
The exemption is when you need to remove it to eat or drink.
These are as follows:
Pubs
Restaurants
Bars (Including Hotel Bars
Theatres
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
The latter comes after the wearing of face coverings was already made mandatory in Uber vehicles from 15th June, with both passengers and drivers reserving the right to cancel their ride if the other party refuses to wear a mask.
Where are face coverings already mandatory?
The following public settings already require members of the public to wear a face covering by law:
Shops and Supermarkets
Public Transport (Airplanes, Trains, Trams and Buses)
Enclosed Shopping Centres
Banks and Building Societies
Post Offices
Places of Worship
Hair Salons, Barbers, Nail Salons, Massage Centres, Tattoo and Piercing Parlours
Cinemas
Museums
Galleries
Aquariums
Vets
Zoos and Visitor Farms
Any Other Tourist, Heritage or Cultural Site
Community or Youth Centres
Social or Members’ Clubs
Funeral Homes and Burial Ground Chapels
Public Areas in Hotels and Hostels
Concert and Exhibition Halls
Conference Centres
Any Other ‘Public Hall’
Transport Hubs, Stations and Terminals
Bingo Halls
Libraries
Casinos
Auction Houses
Storage and Distribution Facilities
The rules on the wearing of face coverings has also changed for staff working in various retail and hospitality sectors from today too.
Businesses are now legally required to have employees or “persons providing services” wear masks in – pubs, shops (apart from premises providing legal and financial services), enclosed shopping centres, restaurants, bars, banks and building societies, post offices, community centres, youth centres, members clubs and social clubs, public areas in hotels and hostels, concert halls, exhibition halls, conference centres or other public halls, cinemas, museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos and visitor farms and other indoor parts of tourist, heritage or cultural sites, bingo halls, libraries, casinos and theatres.
When can I remove my mask?
The new guidance and legislation does detail a number of instances in which members of the public are permitted to remove their face covering.
These are as follows:
If asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification.
If asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, for assessing health recommendations (eg: by a pharmacist), or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol.
If required in order to receive treatment or services (eg: when getting a facial).
In order to take medication.
If you are delivering a sermon or prayer in a place or worship.
If you are the persons getting married in a relevant place.
If you are aged 11 to 18 attending a faith school and having lessons in a place of worship as part of your core curriculum.
If you are undertaking exercise or an activity and it would negatively impact your ability to do so.
If you are an elite sports person, professional dancer or referee acting in the course of your employment.
When seated to eat or drink in a hospitality premise – such as a pub, bar, restaurant or cafe – but you must put a face covering back on once you finish eating or drinking.
Who is exempt?
The government has also previously released an official list of individuals who are exempt from wearing face coverings.
These exemptions still stand and are as follows:
Children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommended face coverings for children under the age of three for health and safety reasons).
People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability.
Where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress.
If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate.
To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity.
Police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#HandsFaceSpace
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Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
The Manc -
24th September 2020 
