Face shield

johnbanks1948

Can i wear a face shield in shops as an alternative to a face mask. I dont want to get a fine but find masks very uncomfortable

neilmcl

They're not specifically mentioned but if you look at the wording of the guidelines they would suggest not. I saw somebody in my local Sainsburys yesterday wearing one but it was so high up on her head that it barely came down above her nose and therefore totally useless.

Restitch

yep, none of us find face masks comfortable but for the amount of time you will be in a shop surely you can manage?

mr_stripey

According to the gov website a face covering is described as below - it would seem to be this would exclude the visor type


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

5. How to wear a face covering

A face covering should:

• cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
• fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
• be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
• be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
• ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used)
• unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged

hamnajain

Face shields protects (partially) against larger droplets, for instance, if someone sneezes or coughs directly at you. But it doesn't protect against aerosols. And we produce those when we talk, laugh, etc. And they travel surprisingly far and build up in enclosed spaces.

Andy_L

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/regulation/2/made

"2.—(1) In these Regulations—...“face covering” means a covering of any type which covers a person’s nose and mouth"

Although the shop itself could refuse to accept a face shield & insist on a mask

Gers

Don't know where you are, in Scotland we have this advice:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/face-coverings/

What is a face covering?

A face covering can be any covering of the mouth and nose that is made of cloth or other textiles and through which you can breathe.

Religious face coverings that cover the mouth and the nose count as face coverings for these purposes.

You may also use, if you prefer, a face visor but it must cover your nose and mouth completely.

jon81uk

Also in realistic terms, it would be better than nothing. If you genuinely have a condition than makes you anxious or otherwise difficult to wear a mask, then a visor would be better than no face covering at all. Given that those with these conditions could wear no mask at all but try for 2m distancing instead, a visor that covers the mouth and nose should allow for 1m distancing.

Pollycat

jon81uk said:

Also in realistic terms, it would be better than nothing. If you genuinely have a condition than makes you anxious or otherwise difficult to wear a mask, then a visor would be better than no face covering at all. Given that those with these conditions could wear no mask at all but try for 2m distancing instead, a visor that covers the mouth and nose should allow for 1m distancing.

These are the exemptions listed on Gov.uk:

• You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):
• young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
• not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
• if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
• to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
• to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
• to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
• in order to take medication
• if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

I wouldn't think anyone would find a face covering comfortable. I certainly find it very uncomfortable.

mr_stripey

jon81uk said:

Also in realistic terms, it would be better than nothing. If you genuinely have a condition than makes you anxious or otherwise difficult to wear a mask, then a visor would be better than no face covering at all. Given that those with these conditions could wear no mask at all but try for 2m distancing instead, a visor that covers the mouth and nose should allow for 1m distancing.

absolutely. I've seen a few people wearing visors in my local Tesco. In practical terms I doubt anyone is going to challenge someone wearing a visor. It is almost certainly "better than nothing".

GibbsRule_No3.

I am wearing a clear face visor when I shop. Used it in the PO and M&S yesterday it even now works with my Apple Pay face recognition on my phone. So much more comfortable than the cloth face mask that I had to wear (for obvious reasons) when collecting my new glasses. Mine is just a plastic sheet, with a small, connected plastic forehead band and a thin elastic band to keep it on. I roll the sheet up and keep it in a cutdown plastic drinks bottle in the mesh pocket on my rucksack. In fact where it is rolled it now fits closely on the sides of my face, but does not dig in. I don’t see why this type could not be worn by people who say they have asthma or other problems. I forget I am wearing it, it is so comfortable. Little bit sweaty on the forehead when you remove it but nothing like the mouth wearing cloth mask. Comes down far enough. You also don’t keep touching it like I did with the cloth one.

https://flatshield.co.uk/

This is what I am wearing