NEW mask rules have been welcomed by shoppers in Hereford after they came into effect today.

Face coverings have become mandatory again on public transport and shops in England, in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

People of young and old were seen wearing their masks yesterday (November 30) as they walked down the High Street, ready to go in and out of shops.

 

From Tuesday it became mandatory to wear face masks againg in shops and on public transport.

Shoppers seen in High Town, in Hereford, wearing masks on the day the covid rules came back in

 

Many more than were seen a week ago.

Others sat on benches and stood outside shops wearing their masks whilst they took a break from shopping.

 

From Tuesday it became mandatory to wear face masks againg in shops and on public transport.

Hereford shoppers abiding by the new rules to stop the spread of the Omicron covid variant before Christmas

 

Whilst certain shops stuck notices on their doors that asked customers to abide by the new rules.

 

Signs have appeared in shop windows around Hereford following the government restrictions on wearing face masks in shops.

Signs have appeared in shop windows around Hereford following the government restrictions on wearing face masks in shops

 

Tina Hill, of Brecon, was visiting Hereford yesterday, and she is glad to see rules for masks have been implemented in England as Wales had already had the measures in place.

"It is absolutely the right thing," she said.

"It absolutely needed to be introduced and should be in all public places."

Natalia Burzawa, of Bishops Frome, is a Hereford Sixth Form student who agrees the new measures are right.

"I can see where they are coming from as it will protect me and others.

"It is also good for Christmas as we don't want to be in another lockdown.

"I feel safer in class, with the mixing of different groups of people, it will protect students and teachers."

It is unknown how long these measures will be in place.