Honiton: face masks become mandatory again today

From today (30 November) shoppers in Honiton will again be legally required to wear face masks.

They will also become mandatory on public transport.

People will not be required to wear a mask in hospitality settings.

The change in the law is due to increasing concern about a new strain of the COVID-19 virus.

Named 'Omicron' by the World Heath Organisation, the new strain was first seen in Botswana. Since then it has been recorded in South Africa, Germany, Belgium, England and Scotland.

There are worries that the new strain may reduce vaccine efficacy and be more transmissible.

Maggie Wynn is the owner of Cards and Things on Honiton high street. She welcomed the return of facemasks: "I actually think with the situation it is a good thing. I think they should have kept them used throughout the whole time."

Nigel Swinburne of Bits and Bobs praised his customers for continuing to wear masks, even when they were not required: "I'd say 85 to 90 per cent of my customers wear a mask. I think it is because it is a more elderly population."