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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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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Salford City manager delivers X-rated, fiery and inspiring speech in new behind-the-scenes series
Danny Jones
Salford City FC manager Karl Robinson delivered an extremely passionate and X-rated dressing room speech to his players in a recent clip taken from the club’s new behind-the-scenes series.
The Salford City boss has divided opinion among the supporters during his time in charge at the Peninsula Stadium, but it’s fair to say this no-holds-barred clip will have at least won over a few.
Robinson has been the head coach of The Ammies since January 2024 and missed out on playoff places by just a single point last term, but the Greater Manchester side has made a strong start to the new League Two campaign.
Claiming 16 points from their first eight fixtures, with only Swindon Town and Gillingham having notched more thus far, it seems a fire has been lit under his squad. It would certainly seem to be the case – at least judging by this new footage, anyway…
Looks really good so far lads absolutely love this
What you see above is a snippet from just the second episode of SCFC’s new ‘This Is Salford’ online show, which debuted this season and lifts the lid on City, Robinson, co-owner Gary Neville (who has helped produce the digital series) and more.
Although it’s not quite on the scale of the famous Class of ’92: Out of Their League programme and Full Time spin-off special aired on television over the past decade, the recurring YouTube documentary will chronicle matchdays and much more.
The club have also explained that the digital-only show will also be split into two sub-sections; one is the kind of matchday coverage already shared, with the promise that it will always be released within “36 hours of the final whistle”.
Secondly, there will be This Is Salford: ‘Our Story‘ episodes, which they describe as sharing “a deeper level of storytelling, following players, coaches and club staff on everything from transfers to causes they’re passionate about.” Think Welcome to Wrexham, perhaps.
It just so happens the latest instalment caught the 45-year-old’s fuming rant following comments made by a player on the way back into the dugout.
While some fans have responded by commenting, “I’m pretty sure they didn’t want this kind of changing room” – citing past straight-talking managers who went on to be dismissed – the reception has been largely positive, with another replying: “I love the way Robbo commands the dressing room.”
Speaking via club media this week, Neville teased the series as going further in the amount they intend to reveal compared to the likes of Manchester City’s All Or Nothing or Together: Treble Winners docuseries, for instance.
Admittedly, not everyone has been convinced by the reaction from Robinson captured during their away trip to Notts County back on 9 August, going on to win the game 2-1.
One person accused him of ‘blagging’ and possibly playing up his anger towards the camera, while others have already seen it as evidence backing up why they have performed well thus far. Either way, they were victorious on the night and are currently third in the table.
Neville reiterated that “We need to get this out there as it happens. It needs to be in real time. It’s their Salford, it’s the fans’ Salford, and we want to show it.”
You can watch the episode in full and see what exactly sparked the fiery speech by Karl Robinson on the Salford City YouTube channel down below.
Featured Images — Salford City FC (screenshots via YouTube)
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Didsbury favourite Rustik has confirmed its will sadly be closing this month
Danny Jones
West Didsbury favourite Rustik has sadly announced it will be closing for food after a decade at the end of this month.
The beloved Burton cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but now the independent Irish eatery has confirmed that the business will be shutting down permanently in less than a fortnight.
Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.
Unsurprisingly, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution.
Posting across all of their accounts, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single one of you who walked through our doors and supported us along the way. We poured everything we had — our time, our energy, our lives into making Rustik a space for everyone. And what a ride it’s been.
“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.
“To our amazing staff, past and present: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and the love you brought every single day. You helped build something truly special, and we’ll never be able to thank you enough.
“To the incredible musicians who filled our space with life — keep doing what you do. The noise complaints? 100% worth the unforgettable nights.”
The team go on to detail that the official closing date is Tuesday, 30 September, reiterating that it is “business running as usual until then” and urging fans to “come down, grab your last Rustik fix, and raise a glass with us one final time.”
Signing off with an emotional farewell, they add: “Lastly, a message close to our hearts: please support your local cafes, bars, and independents. Hospitality is tough right now, and they need your support more than ever.
“Thank you for the most incredible decade of our lives. It’s over and out from us.”
It goes without saying that we’re gutted to see Rustik go and know how much it meant not only to the Burton Road community, but also to the Didsbury community, Chorlton and many other Greater Manchester natives.