Wear face coverings in all libraries, museums and public buildings

Visitors to all the Council’s libraries, museums and public buildings will be required by law to wear face coverings from this weekend.

After introducing a ruling making it mandatory to wear face coverings in shops last month, the Government has now extended this law to all public buildings from Saturday 8 August.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “All visitors to our public buildings are strongly encouraged to follow this new law to wear a face covering immediately before entering any public buildings and to keep them on until they leave.

“The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets in certain circumstances, which helps to protect others.

“Play your part to protect lives and protect livelihoods by wearing a face covering and continue to socially distance by at least two metres, where possible, when in contact with people you don’t normally meet, and wash hands regularly.

“If you have symptoms or are feeling unwell, it is important for you to check whether you have COVID-19 in order to protect yourself, your family, friends and the community. There are plenty of testing facilities available in order to get tested straight away.”

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. For more information on this, general advice on face coverings and to learn how to wear and make a cloth face covering visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Face coverings are not required in restaurants with table service, bars, and pubs.

Help prevent the spread of infection by putting disposable face coverings in your black bin and avoid leaving them as litter when you are out.

Protect yourself and your family and friends by getting a coronavirus test if you feel unwell or have symptoms of a high temperature, new, continuous cough, loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. To get tested, please call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus. Protect your community by then self-isolating for 10 days if you have symptoms or 14 days if alerted to do so by a contact tracer.