Beginning today under new guidelines that have come into force in England, people will need to wear a face-covering in shopping centres, banks, shops and supermarkets but what about museums, galleries and auction houses? Isn’t a commercial gallery just a shop?
It will be up to the individual gallery to decide whether masks are to be worn
Museums and Galleries, Cultural Heritage Sites, Photography studios and Auction houses are all exempt from wearing masks indoors. Of course, it is up to the individual gallery to decide if they will require masks to be worn to protect their staff and visitors and many have already stated that all entering their premises must wear masks. The UK Government has brought in new laws which will fine people flouting the rules by slapping them with a £100 penalty charge. Police have stated, this will only be a last resort.
The new guidance states:
No one can enter a buildings such as shops without a mask which covers your face and nose unless you have a reasonable excuse. Face coverings must be worn in: Shops and shopping centres, Banks, building societies, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and currency exchange offices and anywhere that transmits money by cash or cheque, Post offices, Takeaway food establishments. The requirement to wear a face-covering also applies if you go into a restaurant but are getting a takeaway from the establishment even if it offers table service.
You do not have to wear a mask as some valid reasons are permitted
Where a person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of physical or mental illness, impairment or disability, When accompanying someone who relies on lip-reading, To avoid or escape harm or injury to themselves or others, To eat and drink or take medication. People exempt from the rules are: Children under the age of 11, Employees working in the business in question or public transport staff, Police officers, other emergency workers and officials.
Exempt premises include:
Museums and galleries, Cultural Heritage sites Photography studios, Auction houses, Restaurants with table service and bars, including those in hotels or members’ clubs, Pubs, Libraries, Law firms, Medical and dental practices, Vets, Cinemas, Theatres, Aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms and other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites, Nightclubs, Bingo halls, Concert halls and public halls, Conference centres, Indoor fitness studios, gyms, leisure centres and indoor swimming pools, Water parks, Bowling alleys, Funfairs, Theme parks, Amusement arcades, Indoor soft play areas, indoor sports arenas, Casinos, Hotels and Spas, Beauty salons and hairdressers, Tattoo and piercing parlours, Storage centres, Funeral directors.
Is this a good idea?