If you are out shopping for home improvement products or materials, don’t forget your mask or face covering, because if you don’t wear one you could face a £100 fine.

From Friday 24^th July, the Government legislation on face coverings and masks, came into force, meaning it’s mandatory to wear one when in a retail outlet (including showrooms and building suppliers/merchants) in England.

38% of homeowners expect home improvement company’s employees to wear a face covering or mask, now the new legislation has made it mandatory for all retail staff to wear masks or face coverings. So expect whoever is serving you in a shop or showroom, to also be wearing a mask or face covering.

Quick guide

• From Friday, July 24, it’s the law that people entering shops, including showrooms, DIY stores and builders merchants in England – must wear face coverings or masks
  
  
• A DIY face-covering can be used — even just a scarf or a thin cloth mask
  
  
• The legislation applies to employees working or visiting the retail outlet (including showroom/builders merchants/DIY stores) as well as customers
  
  
• Wearing a face mask or face covering while shopping is a vital “insurance policy” to stop coronavirus exploding again according to the government.
  
  
• The government also warned that for face coverings to be effective, people must wash their hands before putting them on and taking them off
  
  
• Best advice from Government’s is to use a simple face covering, and don’t buy up lots of standard medical masks as they are still needed for the NHS/essential workers
  
  
• Don’t forget. If you don’t wear a mask or face covering in a shop you could be fined £100 on the spot.

MyGlazing’s Health and Safety expert James MacPherson commented;

“It’s important to adhere to the law and wear a mask or face covering in a retail outlet, but don’t get drawn into a false sense of security with face coverings. Face coverings protect others from you – the wearer, spreading the virus, not the reverse – protecting you from catching the virus. So make sure you continue to manage the risk with social distancing, re-designing work places, washings hands, etc. and not simply relying on face coverings. Stay safe.”

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