Further to Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Tuesday evening, it has now become law for shop workers to wear face coverings whilst at work.
Previously, it was only shoppers who had to wear face coverings, but as the cases of coronavirus are on the rise, this has now been extended. This means that if you employ staff that work in the following places, they must wear a face covering:
- Shops
- Shopping centres
- Restaurants and bars
- Banks
- Hotels
The normal “reasonable excuse” exemption applies to those with a disability and to anyone that would be caused severe distress as a result of wearing one.
The rules state that it is the person committing the offence i.e. not following the rules, that is liable for the £200 fine and it will therefore be the employee and not the employer who faces the penalty.
This raises the interesting question as to what to do if an employee refuse’s?
For more information or if you need any advice regarding the recent changes announced, please contact us at support@guardianlaw.co.uk or call us on 0115 870 0150.
