Plus, is the PM delivering on his pledges?
   
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By Andrew McFarlane

 
 

Time for millions to mask up

 
 
People wearing face masks in a shop

They have been compulsory in shops in Scotland since 10 July and now people in England will have to get used to wearing a face covering if they want to pick up groceries, or fancy a sausage roll. From today, coverings are mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways. The covering can be as simple as a scarf or bandana secured over mouth and nose. But fail to wear one and you could face a fine of up to £100 - although not in Wales or Northern Ireland, where they are not compulsory.

Some retailers - notably Sainsbury's, Asda and Costa Coffee - say they won't enforce the rules, however. And, while Greggs and McDonald's say takeaway customers must wear them, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls says food outlets had "a very short time to properly brief staff, prepare signage and take steps to encourage compliance", given the rules came into force just 12 hours after fresh guidance was issued.

Police will be able to "use force" to remove customers from shops if they do not wear face coverings, according to the College of Policing. But forces have said they will enforce the rules only as a last resort. We explain their powers. There are a lot of exemptions. You don't have to wear them in places where other safety measures have been taken, such as cinemas, restaurants or hairdressers, and you can remove them when you need to prove your age or identity. See our full guide for details. If you're finding it tricky to get your head around, we explain how to make your own mask, wear - and wash - them properly, and stop them steaming up your specs.

 
 
 

Flu vaccine programme extended

 
 

While our lives have been turned upside down by coronavirus, the government has one eye on a much more familiar ailment. Amid concerns the annual flu season could exacerbate strains on hospitals, some 30 million people in England are to be offered vaccination. Last year, 25 million people - including primary school children, health and care workers and the over-65s were eligible. This winter, it will be extended to over-50s, anyone on the shielding list and the people they live with, and children in their first year of secondary school. Paulette Hamilton, from the Local Government Association, says it is essential to "prevent one seasonable and predictable virus creating the conditions for a second, more serious and unpredictable deadly second wave of Covid-19". Plans for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to be announced.

 
 
 

Disney delays blockbusters

 
 

Eased lockdown restrictions might have allowed cinemas to reopen - depending on where you live - but many have delayed cranking up projectors as they get to grips with the new trading environment. Now the industry has been dealt a fresh blow with news that Disney is to delay the release of three major films, amid a rise in US coronavirus cases and disruption to film production. The new Avatar and Star Wars films have been pushed back by a year. And Mulan - which it had been hoped would drive a rebound in cinema-going on its planned release in August - has been removed from schedules completely. "Nothing can be set in stone when it comes to how we release films during this global health crisis," a Disney spokesman says.

 
 
 
 

Will more of us start using rivers?

 

Figures suggest more people than ever are heading to Britain's rivers with the easing of lockdown - renewing calls for better public rights of access. It comes as MPs are to consider proposals aimed at opening up the waterways to all. But after recent incidences of littering and overcrowding, there are fears more people on rivers could "cause chaos".

Caroline Radford, 52, a nurse in the West Country, began taking anti-depressants two years ago after struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. She says wild swimming has helped her mental health. "I was a bit worried about how cold it was, and whether there was going to be any wildlife in the water, but when I got in, it was like swimming through silk. There was a real feeling of peace and calm and tranquillity."

 
 
 
 
 
  Read full article >  
 
 
 
 

Claire Marshall

BBC rural affairs correspondent

 
 
 
 
 

What the papers say

 
 
Newspaper front pages

The new rules on wearing face coverings in England feature on several front pages. "Public still reluctant to wear masks," is the i's headline, as a poll suggests a quarter of people never put one on, with one-in-10 refusing to obey the law requiring their use on public transport. However, the Daily Mirror reports a separate survey suggesting two-thirds of Britons believe face coverings should be worn in all indoor places. While those who break the rules could be fined up to £100, some supermarkets and coffee chains say they will not enforce them, reports the Daily Telegraph. Meanwhile, the Metro carries a warning from unions that the rules could put retail workers at greater risk of abuse and assault. "Masking for Trouble," is its headline. Read the review.

 
 
 

Daily digest

 
 
   

Royals Harry and Meghan sue over 'drone photos' of son Archie

 
   

Trump Republican convention scrapped amid virus 'flare-up'

 
   

China US consulate ordered to close in tit-for-tat move

 
   

Olympics Question mark over 2021 Tokyo Games

 
 
 

If you watch one thing today

Composite image showing Australian athlete Chloe Esposito running, and pregnant
‘I couldn’t compete at Tokyo 2020... I can in 2021’
 
 
 
 

If you listen to one thing today

Specimen jars
Making a Covid-19 vaccine for two billion people
 
 
 
 

If you read one thing today

Boris Johnson on the steps of Downing Street
One year in, is the PM delivering on his pledges?
 
 
 
 

Need something different?

 
 

Writer Caitlin Moran and actress Beanie Feldstein tell us how to build a movie, ahead of the release of the film based on best-selling book, How to be a Woman. If you're a fan of hip-hop, how about krip-hop? That's music that puts disabled matters front and centre. BBC Ouch hears from New Yorkers Ricardo Velasquez and Namel Norris, who were shot and paralysed as teenagers and have since gone on to achieve global success as rap duo 4 Wheel City. You can check the look of a pair of octogenarian models who've become a surprise Instagram hit. And, as it's Friday, why not test your knowledge in our quiz of the week's news?

 
 
 

On this day

 
 
   

1974 The US Supreme Court orders President Richard Nixon to surrender tape recordings of White House conversations relating to the Watergate affair.

 
 
 

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