Concerns over the new Omicron variant of coronavirus have lead the government to reintroduce mask wearing across the UK.

From 4am this morning, face coverings must now be warn again both in shops and public transport.

Refusing to wear a mask in ‘mandatory’ areas will result in a £200, doubled with each offence to a maximum total of £6,400.

So where do you need to wear a mask?

  • Shops and supermarkets – this includes shops in larger premises such as a gift shop within a museum
  • Shopping centres and indoor markets
  • Takeaways
  • Auction houses and retail galleries
  • Post offices, banks, building societies, high street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
  • Estate and letting agents and retail travel agents
  • Premises providing personal care
  • Places providing beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing studios)
  • Pharmacies
  • Vets
  • Public transport services (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries)
  • Taxis and private hire vehicles
  • Transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
  • During a professionally delivered driving lesson, whether in a car, van or HGV

The hospitality sector is exempt from the rules, meaning you won’t need to wear a mask in restaurants, cafes, bars or pubs.

We sent our reporter Ben Groom to Harrogate Train Station to gauge the reaction of commuters:

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.