UK coronavirus live: Johnson U-turns on masks as experts fear up to 120,000 Covid-19 winter deaths

Boris Johnson announces face coverings are to be mandatory in shops from 24 July with 100 fines for non-compliance

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Members of the Independent Sage group set up by Sir David King, a former chief scientific advisor, said on Tuesday that face masks must be made freely available to those who cannot afford them.

Prof Stephen Reicher at the University of St Andrews said masks could be posted to every household along with information on how they can help and how to wear them. Another option, he said, was to hand masks out on public transport and other places where needed.

Related: Coronavirus: shoppers in England must wear face masks from 24 July

I don't think fines are necessary. You don't start off by being punitive, you don't start off by attacking people, you start off by trying to understand and seeing how you can help them. If people can't wear masks they can't wear masks. We're not going to get to 100% compliance, but if we can get to where Italy and Spain are, which is mid-80%, that will make a huge difference.

This is all about keeping people safe. It shouldn't be perceived as penalising people, it doesn't require a criminal justice response, it requires a strong, public information campaign and a strong engagement campaign.

We have seen that enforcement during Covid-19 has had a very detrimental impact on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, they have been almost twice as likely to be fined under Covid-19, especially in London and that is a huge concern.

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