York council urges people to wear face masks in crowded outdoor areas

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York's Council Leader is urging people to wear a face covering in busy outdoor areas in the city, to help tackle the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

While no cases have yet been identified in our region, Councillor Keith Aspden gave the advice ahead of the traditional busy Christmas shopping season.

Thousands of visitors and shoppers are expected in York City Centre in the run up to the festive season.

It comes as new rules on face coverings came into force in England on Tuesday (30 November, 2021) where they are now mandatory on public transport and in shops.

The rule also applies to:

  • supermarkets

  • shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)

  • takeaways

  • auction houses and retail galleries

  • post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses

  • estate agents and travel agents

  • premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (such as hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing studios)

  • pharmacies

  • vets

  • taxis and private hire vehicles

  • transport stations and terminals

  • vehicles during driving lessons and tests