// Face masks will no longer be mandatory in shops from next Thursday
//The Government’s working from home guidance will also come to an end
Boris Johnson has announced that shoppers will no longer be required to wear face masks in shops as Plan B Covid restrictions come to an end next week.
Face coverings have been mandatory inside retail stores since November, however Johnson said evidence from scientists showed the Omicron peak had passed.
The end of the government’s Plan B also means the end of its working from home guidance meaning retail workers can return to workplaces. This should also provide a boost to city centre retail.
READ MORE: Retail workers at risk of abuse as face masks become mandatory in shops
The Prime Minister also said that there “soon be a time” when self-isolation guidance can also be removed, which will be good news for retailers which have been struggling with staff absences.
Tesco revealed last week it was forced to keep on around 13,000 temporary Christmas staff to help it cope with staff absences due to Covid-19.
The current self-isolation regulations expire on 24 March.
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