New mask-wearing rules come into effect in Essex today
People will be required to wear masks in most public, indoor spaces like cinemas, theatres, hairdressers and places of worship
As per the Covid-19 plan B announced by the Prime Minister, mask-wearing will become mandatory for staff and customers in various public, indoor venues such as cinemas, takeaways and places of worship, from today (10 December).
It comes as concerns grow over the rapid spread of Covid-19 caused by the new Omicron strain of the virus. In Essex, cases linked to the new variant have been found in Chelmsford, Southend and Brentwood.
Theatres are one of the many venues where mask-wearing will be compulsory. Steve Mannix is the Executive Director at Colchester Mercury Theatre.
He says, "Our audiences and visitors have already been incredibly supportive of our existing mask-wearing policy and we appreciate their continued support in helping us to ensure the show can go on
"This is in addition to the other measures we already have in place including a sophisticated air extraction system which continually removes air from the building and replaces it with fresh air from outside, enhanced cleaning regimes, hand sanitising stations and frequent testing for staff and freelancers.
"We take the safety of everyone in our building very seriously and review our Covid-19 precautions on a regular basis."
The mask mandate is also welcomed by Unite the Union, although Mark Robinson, their Eastern regional coordinator believes it shouldn't have been removed in the first place. He also says that the rules are inconsistent, given masks must be worn in most indoor settings, but not in pubs and restaurants.
"Even when the restrictions were lifted, we were saying please wear your mask to protect yourselves. Now, it needs to be enforced vigorously and robustly.
"Unfortunately the half-hearted attempt by the government to try and reintroduce masks is going to make it more confusing for people and a lot of people will simply ignore it, but we do encourage people please wear your masks."
Reports of an alleged party that is said to have taken place in December last year at Number 10, Downing Street complicates the matter even further, Mr Robinson says.
"People, generally, are very concerned about what's going on. But when they see what the Government has been up to, in its in its own backyard in terms of having parties and completely disregarding the rules, it does make people challenge them and say,' Why should we have to do all this when the people who are telling us to do all these things aren't following their own rules?'"
New rules will kick in through the course of next week, including a guidance recommending work-from-home (Monday, 13 December) and the requirement of an NHS Covid Pass or negative lateral flow test to enter night-clubs or other venues where large crowds may gather (Wednesday, 15 December).