From 30 Nov 2021 it is compulsory for people in England to wear a face covering on all public transport, including taxis and private hire vehicles and in shops ( and public facing areas ). The new ruling has been put in place by the UK government to limit the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant that was first detected in South Africa last week. Omicron has since been detected in England and Scotland, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Students in year 7 and above should wear face masks in communal areas, the Department for Education has told schools and colleges in England.
The latest guidance on wearing face masks, including information on face mask exemptions, is available on GOV.UK
COVID-19 remains a serious health risk and government advice is to stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.
Easy Read information about the changes is available from Inclusion North.
Disability Sheffield has issued a new video warning that the coronavirus crisis has not come to an end yet and warning people to take precautions.
The video, with easy-read captions, says that the risk is still out there and we all need to take care, even if you have been vaccinated and had your booster jab. This will help but does not offer 100% protection and some people cannot be vaccinated at all.
It also states that one in five people who have had covid do not produce antibodies, so the advice is to keep washing your hands as often as possible, wearing a mask if possible and keeping your distance from other people. It also reminds people to get tested if they have been in contact with anyone who has coronavirus and to self-isolate if infected.
You can watch the video here.
