Overview

The Face Coverings (Regulation) Bill aims to regulate the wearing of face coverings in public places in England and Wales. It makes it an offence to wear something designed to obscure your face in public, with several exceptions, and allows private businesses and public service providers to request removal of face coverings in certain circumstances.

Description

This bill introduces several key provisions:

• Public Place Restrictions: It's an offence to wear a face covering designed to obscure the face in a public place (as defined by the Public Order Act 1936), unless exempted. Exemptions include: wearing a covering due to law, work, health/safety, sport, arts/leisure/entertainment, or religious reasons.
• Private Premises: Private businesses (where goods or services are provided to the public) can request customers remove face coverings. Refusal can result in being asked to leave.
• Public Services: People receiving or providing public services must remove face coverings unless it's reasonably necessary for health or safety reasons. "Public service" is broadly defined to include services related to legislative, administrative, judicial, public order, or national security matters.
• Penalties: Violating the public place restriction results in a fine (at Level 1 on the Standard Scale).

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The costs would likely be associated with enforcement (police time and potential court costs), although the precise financial impact is uncertain.

Groups Affected

• The Public: Individuals may face fines for wearing face coverings in public places unless they meet an exemption.
• Businesses: Private businesses have the right to request the removal of face coverings from customers on their premises.
• Public Service Providers and Receivers: Those providing or receiving public services must remove face coverings unless it is for health and safety reasons.
• Religious Groups: The bill includes an exemption for wearing face coverings for religious reasons in places of worship.

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