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<p>The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place)
(England) Regulations 2020, as amended, requires members of the public to wear a face
covering in relevant indoor public settings unless an exemption applies, or the individual
has a reasonable excuse.</p><p>The police have the power to enforce the requirement
to wear a face covering including directing the individual to wear a face covering,
directing the individual to leave the relevant place, and issuing a fixed penalty
notice of £200 (reducing to £100 if paid within 14 days) doubling upon each repeat
offence up to a maximum of £6,400.</p><p>Police officers receive guidance on the law
and that they should use their discretion at all times. As they have done throughout
the pandemic, the police apply a four-step escalation method - engaging, explaining
and encouraging compliance before moving to take enforcement action.</p>
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