Your reaction following the Government's mandatory face coverings announcement

After months of debate around the effectiveness of face covering in the fight against Covid-19, the UK Government has confirmed that the wearing of masks will be compulsory in shops from July 24.
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While the Government is expecting the vast majority of shoppers to wear face masks, there are exceptions to this new rule - here is more information about who does not have to wear a face covering.

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Government announces that face coverings will be compulsory in shops in England ...

From shock it has taken so long, to concerns around policing the new rules - here are some of the reactions to today's news:

There has been a strong reaction to the Government's announcement todayThere has been a strong reaction to the Government's announcement today
There has been a strong reaction to the Government's announcement today
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Every week I go to the supermarket and are shocked by how many people aren’t wearing them. Whole families there like it’s an excursion to catch Coronavirus.

The government has acted way too late on this, people needed these guidelines months ago!

Mark 'Tatter' Tierney

Finally. Took them long enough to make it mandatory. Be interesting to see if it’s enforced though. I’m a strong believer in a mask mainly protects others, not yourself. So I’ll personally feel a lot happier if everyone wears one. One question though. Is a pub classed as a shop, as technically you buy things?

Andy Richardson

It’s a bit late isn’t it? Why shops but not pubs gyms and restaurants? I don’t get it. I want to protect others don’t get me wrong but it just all seems odd.

Shar Clark

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10s of thousands of lives could've been saved if this had been implemented in April. 10s of thousands of lives will be saved in future because of them, but some people CBA to wear one.

James Tonner

So what about the people who get panicky with something on their face, how will they cope??

Danny Hartgen

They should be issued free if this is compulsory.

Vivienne Pennington

What about people like me with asthma? I'm hoping I still don't have to wear one since I'm already struggling to breathe without a mask on.

Victoria Louise Thomas

Wouldn't it have made more sense at the beginning of the pandemic? Yet thousands attending riots and beaches unprotected was OK? And its not for another 10 days.

Derek Haigh

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It’s a piece of cloth over your face. The mentality of some people is hilarious. YES if you have a serious medical reason for not wearing one then fine however if you are that bad, you should be still shielding anyway. If you can’t, then just make sure you have a docs letter with you to explain why you can’t wear one.

Tessa Snelson

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