New mask-wearing rules come into effect in Suffolk 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 Suffolk, there have been two confirmed cases of this new variant so far and 52 suspected cases.
Theatres are one of the many venues where mask-wearing will be compulsory. It is a measure that he welcomes.
Owen Calvert-Lyons is the Artistic Director at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds: "The thing that all of us want, both us as a theatre and the audience, is for the production to continue, for it to run as long as possible and for every performance to happen. And mask wearing can help that. It's proven to make a real difference to transmission of the virus.
"It will keep the audience member safe, and it will keep our cast and staff safe."
The theatre is 16 shows into its 86-performance run this winter. Mr Calvert-Lyons says they want to be able to see the period through. "We haven't had any outbreak amongst audiences or cast members. So I feel confident that we'll be able to continue this throughout.
"If these new measures give us another layer of protection and make it even more likely that the next 70 shows go ahead, then so much the better."
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).