Do you have to wear a face mask in a pub or restaurant when you’re not eating or drinking?

Face masks among restaurant staff have become commonplace (Picture: PA)

From today, the rules on face coverings have changed, with a whole load of new establishments added to the list of places in England where you need to wear a mask.

As well as hospitals and public transport – which already required mandatory face masks – they are now compulsory in shops, banks, building societies and post offices as well as takeaways and sandwich shops.

However, there has been some confusion over whether they need to be worn in some places, including restaurants with table service.

Do you need to wear a face covering in restaurants and pubs outside of times when you’re eating and drinking?

Do you have to wear a face mask in pubs or restaurants while not eating or drinking?

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

If you’re in a pub or restaurant with table service, then currently you are not required to wear a face covering while you’re waiting for your food or drinks to arrive.

However the Government’s official advice is: ‘You are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.’

So if you are queueing at the bar to order drinks, for example, you might want to wear a face covering anyway.

Those sitting at tables do not have to wear masks (Picture: Getty Images)

The rules around takeaway differ – if you are buying takeaway food at a restaurant or sandwich shop then you need to wear a face covering.

However if you are buying food to eat in then you should wear a face covering while you are buying it before removing it once you sit down to eat.

MP Brandon Lewis told BBC Breakfast on Thursday: ‘What changes from tomorrow is we are saying people from tomorrow, you should wear face masks if you are in shops or supermarkets.

‘If you are going into a takeaway, and you are eating in somewhere that has got a takeaway, then that is like hospitality, you are eating, it’s not practical to wear a face mask, we recognise that.’

MORE: Sainsbury’s says it won’t challenge customers not wearing face masks

MORE: Rome could face second lockdown after coronavirus cases creep back up

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.