'How can not wearing a mask in a pub be justified?' - Telegraph readers on face coverings in shops

The Government will unveil new face masks rules on Tuesday with a £100 fine to be introduced for those who do not comply with the latest guidelines. Health Secretary Matt Hancock will confirm that the wearing of face coverings in shops and supermarkets in England will be compulsory from July 24.

The chief executive of the British Retail Consortium has already insisted that the new rules will give shoppers "confidence" and "reassurance" about visiting the high street, rather than deter the public from visiting their favourite shops.

But as the country prepares to take another step towards a ‘new normal’, how do Telegraph readers feel about the updated face mask guidelines? Is it hypocritical to suggest that masks should be worn in retail stores, but the public can still visit pubs without face coverings? Why has the Government decided to introduce these changes now, and not earlier?

Read on to see what your fellow readers have had to say and then share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this article.

'I can see the Government losing any gravitas it once had'

@Trevor Smith

"I'm a huge supporter of this Tory government but I despair at the way it is being thrashed and thrown around in a storm seemingly generated by media stories and moaning from Nicola Sturgeon that no one is following their lead.

"What is the point in introducing compulsory face coverings at a time when new cases and deaths are at an all time low since lockdown began? Surely if it is a good idea it should have happened back then?

"Sadly I can see the Government losing any gravitas it once had being drained away but these day-to-day on the hoof decisions."

'A few very selfish people resisting this overdue and common sense rule'

@Paddington Brown

"A few very selfish people here resisting this overdue, common sense rule. Good luck with your fines and arrests.

"If I see you risking the lives of others in shops I will be glad to assist the police in their duty."

'We need the full details of these changes much earlier than a day before they come into force'

@Martin Sach

"Here we go again. An announcement about a change in the law without the details. What will the definition of a shop be? Does it include a shop inside a different type of venue such as a tourist attraction? What about outdoor shops? Ice cream kiosks?

"We really need the full details of these frequent changes to laws much earlier than the day before they come into force, as has so often happened."

'The government are obviously following advice given by experts'

@Peter Mendes

"Cannot see the problem here. The government are obviously following advice given by experts.

"Do you really think that they should operate on a consensual basis and if so how many people should be on the consensus panel?

"If it is the law to wear masks then that is what should happen. Talking of anarchy is not the way forward."

'Sunak is trying to save some sort of economy – Johnson is destroying it'

@melanie pursglove

"So how will this work in garden centres which have both indoor and outdoor space plus cafes and some retail concessions? It is already a sterile experience but it is about to become impossible as presumably we play Hokey Cokey, mask on and off, in the same place.

"The net result will be what used to be a pleasure now becomes completely unpleasurable so another retail sector hits the buffers. Sunak is trying to save some sort of economy – Johnson is destroying it."

'Many won't like it of course... but it makes sense'

@Hans Strand:

"Finally some common sense from the government. Masks both help prevent the spread of the virus and offer the wearer a degree of protection.

"Many won’t like it of course but this mandatory requirement makes sense and will make a positive difference to containing the virus."

'Will I be forced to wear a mask when shopping for the rest of my life?'

@Matthew Butt:

"The compulsory wearing of masks is being introduced at a time when the R number is below one and infections and deaths from Covid-19 are falling.

"If that's the case, then how will the conditions ever be right to cancel the compulsory wearing of masks? Presumably when there's a 100 per cent effective vaccine, which is by no means certain.

"Will I be forced to wear a mask when shopping for the rest of my life?"

'If it helps others feel less anxious then what is wrong with that?'

@Fraisy Lou

"I don't particularly like the thought of wearing masks but if it helps others feel less anxious then what is wrong with that?

"I don't use public transport but if I did I would absolutely wear a mask. There is no need to wear one in open air so it is only in shops for short periods and for that purpose I now carry in my bag a couple of disposable masks, a pair of gloves (in case) and some anti-bacterial wipes and a doggy poo bag to take home and dispose of anything I use.  It's not difficult.

"My brother lives in Spain and there mask wearing is rigidly enforced even outdoors in 30-plus degrees and no tests to be had.  Think yourselves lucky it could be a lot worse."

'Can somebody tell me in which parallel universe this makes one iota of sense?'

@Sue Ward

"So we are supposed to go to the shops, wander round wearing a face mask, never spending more than a few seconds two metres from other shoppers. Then we can pop into the in store cafe where we can remove our muzzle and have a coffee and cake or some lunch staying for as long as we wish, two metres from the next table. Can somebody please tell me in which parallel universe this makes one iota of sense?

"And if masks are so essential to dealing with this dreadful rampaging virus why are they not mandatory until a week on Friday? Is the virus on holiday until then?"

'Some of us would rather undertake a minor imposition than take risks'

@P Giles

"I wore one today to visit my mum.

"We'd all rather not but some of us would rather undertake a minor imposition than take risks just so we can thumb our noses at something or other."

'How can the Government justify not wearing one in a pub or restaurant?'

@Lucy Le

"If it is necessary to wear a mask in Sainsbury's how can the Government justify not wearing one in a pub or restaurant?

"If it isn't safe to be inside a public place without a mask, then it can't be safe to be in a pub or restaurant eating and drinking.

"And the Government will soon be subsidising people to go to pubs and restaurants."

'Many countries make you wear them outside, so things could be worse'

@Susan McDuff

"I do not agree with face coverings being mandated.

"However, the UK is not alone in insisting on the wearing of masks. Many countries make you wear them outside, so things could be worse. How long do people spend in a store on average? An hour or two a week?

" I feel sorry the shop staff who will have to wear them all day. Hopefully the UK will be like Austria and only mandate mask wearing for two months. This will be a practice run for the 'supposed' second wave in winter."

'It brings a whole new meaning to the term mixed messaging'

@Brian Corbett

"Get back to the shops to restart the economy! Get back to your office instead of working from home!

"Plus it's so dangerous out there you're all going to have to wear a mask. It brings a whole new meaning to the term mixed messaging."

Now it's your turn. Do you think face masks should be mandatory in shops? Will you feel more or less comfortable visiting the shops if everyone is required to wear a mask? Share your view in the comments section below.