FAST food chains including McDonald’s, Burger King and Domino’s have confirmed they WILL enforce the new face mask rules.
Here we explain the different rules for both dine-in and takeaway customers.
Face masks are now compulsory in fast food restaurants – but not if you’re eating inFrom today, July 24, you must wear face masks in places such as shops, banks and airports – and you could be fined £100 if you fail to do so.
The government has also issued guidance for restaurants and fast food chains.
Rules for face masks in restaurants and fast food chains
Dine-in and takeaway customers must follow different rules when inside a food establishment.
If you’re buying food and drink to takeaway, you are required to wear a face covering.
The government says this is the same as entering and browsing a normal shop, where it’s also compulsory to wear face masks.
But if you plan on eating in, you won’t need to wear a face covering.
Ministers have previously said “it’s not practical” to wear face masks in places where you’ll be eating.
Which fast food chains will make you wear a mask?
Businesses are asked to enforce the above rules, but it’ll be up to the police to issue fines.
The below restaurants have got back to HOAR to confirm they WILL ask customers to wear masks when collecting food:
- McDonald’s
- Burger King
- Subway
- Domino’s
You won’t need to cover up if you’re eating in.
HOAR has asked other restaurant chains – including KFC, Costa, Pizza Hut, Nando’s and Pret – if they plan on following the face mask rules.
We’ll update this article when we get further clarification.
Where else do I need to wear a face mask?
Face masks are mandatory in the following places from today:
- Shops
- Supermarkets
- Shopping centres
- Transport hubs – Train stations and terminals, airports, ports, bus and coach stations and terminals
- Cafes and when buying takeaway food
- Banks and building societies
- Post Offices
Which places WON’T ask customers to wear a mask?
You won’t need to wear a mask in the following scenarios:
- Restaurants (if eating in)
- Pubs
- Gyms
- Hairdressers
- Cinemas
- Concert halls
- Theatres
- Dentists
- Opticians
- Outdoor spaces – For example, walking down the street or sitting in a park
Will I be fined if I don’t wear a face mask?
You could be fined £100 if you fail to wear a mask in shops and other outlets where it’s compulsory.
The police will be in charge of issuing fines, but Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick told LBC this should only be as “a last resort”.
It’s been mandatory to wear a face mask on public transport – including buses, trains and planes – since June 15.
Face masks are also compulsory on public transport in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but not in Wales.
Where are face masks NOT compulsory?
Face masks are recommended in crowded spaces but are on the whole not compulsory in outdoor spaces.
This includes when walking down the street and sitting in the park.
They don’t need to be worn in bars and pubs or in restaurants where there is table service.
Official government guidance also exempts the following groups:
- A child under the age of 11
- An employee of the transport operator, when they are working
- A person with breathing difficulties
- Anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading
- People with disabilities
- Any other person providing services to the transport operator, under arrangements made with the transport operator
- A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
- An emergency responder such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
- An official, for example a border force officer, acting in the course of their duties
- If you are allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation, at any time when you are in that accommodation, either alone, or only with members of your own household or a linked household
- If you are on board public transport but remain in your private vehicle, for example on a car ferry
HOAR has rounded up the cheapest places to buy face masks ahead of the rule change.
Some experts claims that if all Brits wore faces masks then the UK could “return to normal” because they slash the risk of catching coronavirus.
In England, the rules are to try and stay at least two metres apart, although one metre+ is now acceptable if the former isn’t possible.
