Archive: In England, face-covering rules introduced on 24 July 2020 applied to shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and enclosed transport hubs, with exemptions. This article describes historical rules.

The rules changed during the pandemic. People with medical exemptions were not legally required to carry an exemption card or badge, as Full Fact explained in January 2021.

On 27 January 2022 the government lifted the later Plan B legal requirement for face coverings in indoor venues in England; guidance for health and care settings continued at that time.

For current advice, see the NHS information on reducing the spread of COVID-19 and follow the instructions of the healthcare setting when visiting.