Face mask LOOPHOLE – All the times you don’t have to wear a mask despite Plan B restrictions

THESE are all the times you don't have to wear a face mask in public, despite the new Plan B Covid restrictions.

At a gloomy press conference last night, the PM pulled the trigger on the Government's Plan B to tackle the rising tide of Omicron cases ripping across Britain.

Despite making it compulsory to wear masks in more public places, the PM admitted that there are exceptions to the rule.

Mr Johnson said the "most important thing" was for Brits to get their booster jabs after previously praising the Sun's Jabs Army campaign.

Boris Johnson said: "There'll be of course exemptions where it's not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."

The rules on where people have to wear masks are being extended from Friday to cover most public venues including theatres and cinemas.

Brits have already been told to wear face coverings on public transport and in many public places.

The rules also cover shops, post offices and banks, beauty salons and hairdressers, and taxi rides.

The Government rules state: "From Friday December 10, face coverings will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship.

"There will be exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as when you are eating, drinking or exercising.

"For that reason, face masks will not be required in hospitality settings."

Here are all the places you don't have to wear a face-covering under the new rules.

Eating in restaurants

From Friday, face masks will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, other than hospitality.

But Brits won't have to wear a mask when dining in a restaurant, because the Government has deemed it "impractical."

Revellers can continue to eat out and enjoy the festive season without having to wear face coverings.

Drinking in pubs

Despite having to wear masks in many indoor places, punters won't have to cover their noses and mouths in pubs this festive season.

Brits can grab a pint with friends and family without needing to wear a face mask.

Boris Johnson said that hospitality settings will continue to be exempt from mask-wearing under Plan B.

Exercising at the gym

Under Plan B, Brits won't have to wear masks while they exercise.

This means people can go to the gym, go for runs, or work out indoors and outdoors without wearing a face covering.

Choir practise

The new face mask-wearing rules do not apply to places where people will be singing - including choice practice.

This is because it would be impractical to wear one while carrying out the activities.

Brits will be told to start working from home again from Monday to help stop the spread of Omicron.

The measure will only take the form of advice, meaning workers won't be forced to stay away from the office.

Boris said on Wednesday: "Go to work if you must, but work from home if you can. By reducing your contacts in the workplace you will help slow transmission."

The Government says that "high levels of home working have played a very important role in preventing sustained epidemic growth".

But ministers also acknowledge the WFH creates problems for some firms and has a knock-on effect on local economies.

The new rules include:

• Compulsory face masks in all indoor settings from FRIDAY
• Working from home except key workers from MONDAY
• Vaccine passports for crowded venues from NEXT WEDNESDAY

Large venues will be required to introduce vaccine passports as a condition of entry under the new measures.

People will have to show proof they've been vaccinated or provide a negative lateral flow test from next Wednesday.

The restrictions will cover indoor events of more than 500 people, including venues like nightclubs.

They'll also apply to "crowded" outdoor events with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000, including sports stadiums.

The Government says: "Mandating vaccine-only certification would be preferable to closing venues entirely or reimposing social distancing."