FACE coverings will not have to be worn when buying takeaway food in England, Downing Street has suggested after Michael Gove was pictured shopping in Pret A Manger without wearing a mask.
No 10 said it is still compulsory to wear masks in supermarkets.
On Sunday, Gove told TV viewers: “It is basic good manners, courtesy and consideration to wear a face mask if, for example, you are in a shop.”
Yet, on Tuesday, the cabinet office minister was photographed in a branch of Pret a Manger without a mask, even as his cabinet colleague Liz Truss’s face was covered up as she bought her breakfast.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will be publishing the full guidance shortly but my understanding is that it wouldn’t be mandatory if you went in, for example, to a sandwich shop in order to get a takeaway to wear a face covering.
“It is mandatory… we are talking about supermarkets and other shops, rather than food shops.”
Rishi Sunak posted a picture of himself leaving a Pret a Manger store while wearing a face mask after Gove was seen visiting the chain without one.
The Chancellor tweeted: “Making the most of @Pret’s price cut in response to the VAT reduction that takes effect today for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
“As part of our #PlanForJobs this temporary cut will help over 150,000 businesses protect the jobs of 2.4 million people.”
Making the most of @Pret's price cut in response to the VAT reduction that takes effect today for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 15, 2020
As part of our #PlanForJobs this temporary cut will help over 150,000 businesses protect the jobs of 2.4 million people. pic.twitter.com/mSh6jOvBlp
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