When are face masks mandatory in the UK and where do I need to wear them?
FACE masks are mandatory again after restrictions were introduced in November and have been extended with the introduction of Plan B.
The measures have been introduced again to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant, with the World Health Organisation saying the new strain poses a very high risk of infection surges.
What are the new rules on face masks?
Masks have been reintroduced in large-capacity areas such as theatres and cinemas as part of the introduction of Plan B.
On Wednesday, December 8, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the introduction of Plan B, which extended the new mask-wearing measures already introduced in November.
Further restrictions such as vaccine passports for certain venues like nightclubs, and working from home guidelines have also been introduced.
Caution about the Covid super-strain Omicron was announced at a press conference in Downing Street on November 27, 2021, amid growing concerns over the new variant.
Government scientists have warned that the new Covid variant spreads rapidly, can be transmitted between fully vaccinated people and makes jabs less effective.
It is feared that the Omicron variant could weaken vaccine protection by 40 per cent.
As a result, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said face masks were made compulsory in shops and on public transport in England from Tuesday, November 30.
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Where do I need to wear them?
Face masks will be compulsory to wear in shops and on public transport, as well as in theatres, cinemas and other large-capacity venues.
The measures as introduced as part of Plan B on Wednesday, December 8, will come into place on Wednesday, December 15.
The mandate also applies to hairdressers, nail salons, secondary schools and universities.
The rules will be reviewed every three weeks, the government said.
What did Boris Johnson say in his speech on November 27?
Experts warned that the Omicron strain was the most evolved so far with 50 mutations, 32 of which are a particular concern and could be worse than Delta.
In a speech on November 27, Mr Johnson urged all Brits to get their jabs and confirmed that the third vaccine campaign would get a "boost" by reducing the waiting time between the second jab and the booster.
The Prime Minister described the measures as "temporary and precautionary" - and said they will be reviewed in three weeks' time.
While the PM refused to say whether further restrictions could be imposed, he said he is "confident" that this Christmas will be "considerably better than the last.
As well as the re-introduction of masks, he said that PCR tests would be required for all overseas arrivals.
Ten new countries have been added to the travel red list as a result of the variant discovery.