August 14, 2020 10.34 am This story is over 43 months old

Face mask fines hiked to £3,200 as lockdown eased

Fines will double with each repeat offence
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
By Local Democracy Reporter

People who don’t wear face masks in compulsory areas will face bigger fines, as lockdown measures are eased further.

The penalty of £100 for refusing to wear face covering where it is required, with a range of medical exemptions, will now be doubled for repeat offences, up to a maximum of £3,200.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement ahead of further lockdown easing from this weekend.

Bowling alleys, soft play centres and indoor performance venues will be allowed to return as of Saturday, August 15.

Socially distanced audiences will be able to go to indoor theatre, music and performance venues.

Wedding receptions will also be allowed to come back in the form of a sit-down meal for up to 30 guests.

Close contact beauty services such as facials, eyebrow and eyelash treatment can resume, so long as the staff wear a mask and a visor.

Trials of bringing socially distanced fans back into sporting venues will also take place, with the view to introduce fixed capacities moving forward.

These measures were originally planned for August 1, but were postponed after a spike in COVID-19 cases in certain areas of the country.

The Prime Minister has warned that he “will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus.”