Where you could still have to wear a mask after July 19 in Worcester

It is one of many legal covid-19 restrictions set to be lifted on July 19, on what is being dubbed as "Freedom Day".

However, with rising numbers of people still catching covid-19 some places in Worcester have decided to continue asking people to wear masks and follow guidance.

Here's a list of places in Worcester where you may still have to wear a mask if you are not exempt:

Hospitals, clinics, wards and GP Practices

Healthcare settings in Worcestershire will still be asking people to follow covid-19 guidance from Monday.

That includes, mask wearing, social distancing and the use of hand gel and hand washing.

Visiting restrictions will also remain in place at Worcestershire hospitals.

READ MORE: Covid restrictions to remain at Worcester hospitals, GPs, clinics and wards

Waterstones, The Shambles

Bookshop Waterstones has asked for people to continue to wear masks while in their shops if they are able to.

A statement from the company said: "Given our enclosed browsing environment, we encourage our customers to wear face masks and observe social distancing, respecting the safety of staff and fellow book lovers."

West Midlands Railway

The industry is still waiting for bylaw guidance from government but the whole railway industry is following the same guidance from the Railway Deliver Group.

Train passengers will be asked to wear a mask in busy carriages and in busy areas in train stations.

“Passengers should follow the government guidance and, out of respect for others, wear face coverings if an indoor setting is busy.

"Train travel is low risk, with the majority of carriages well ventilated by air conditioning systems or by doors and windows.

"As restrictions lift, we will continue carrying out extra cleaning and providing better information about how busy services are, so that our passengers can travel with confidence.”

Sainsbury's, St John's and Blackpole

Sainsbury's said it was reviewing the latest guidance on face mask wearing.

Replying to concerned tweets, the supermarket has said: "We're reviewing the latest guidance and will keep customers and colleagues updated in relation to face mask coverings."

Previously, the supermarket's CEO has said customers at Sainsbury's stores will not have to wear masks or socially distance.

Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: “I think in the end it will come down to the choices that individual customers and colleagues want to make.

“It is going to be driven by customer and by colleague choice.

“We’re clearly going to follow the government advice, we’ll continue to listen to our customers and colleagues and we”ll respect and support the individual choices the customers and colleagues want to make.”

Tesco Warndon and St Peter's

Tesco said it was waiting for new government guidelines before releasing details of whether shoppers would still be asked to wear masks.

"The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority.

"We’re reviewing our distancing measures and will share​ our plans once we have had confirmation of the new government guidelines."

The Admiral Rodney, Worcester

The Admiral Rodney said it would "very much endorse the policy of personal responsibility" and encourage mask wearing while standing in the pub but not insist on it.

It added that people would be able to order at the bar but it would continue table service if people prefer as well as continue its sanitising regime.

Staff have been given the option to wear masks or not, but customers are free to ask them to wear masks while serving their particular table if it makes them more comfortable.

The Swan and Huntingdon Hall theatres

Worcester Live, which runs both the Swan Theatre and Huntingdon Hall, said it was closely following the government guidance on what will be expected of theatres in the coming weeks.

"If mask-wearing is no longer expected, it is recommended that patrons continue to wear face masks when attending the theatre, but it will not be compulsory.

"We want our audiences to be comfortable when seeing a show and have confidence in us that we have taken all the correct steps in ensuring their safety.

"We will continue with the increased level of cleaning we have in place prior to each event."

Queues at the bars and Box Office will be socially distanced and only three people at a time will be admitted into the restrooms by stewards.

Sanitising stations will continue to be available throughout both venues.

George Marshall Medical Museum

All visitors to the museum, which is based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, will be asked to continue wearing masks if they are able to.

The museum said: "We are a small museum and want our volunteers, staff and visitors to feel safe in our space.

As such, after Monday, July 19 and unless exempt, all visitors will be required to wear a mask, and we will still only allow a maximum of ten visitors at one time."

Barbertown Worcester

Barbertown, which has salons in St John's and The Tything, said nothing will change.

Customers will still be asked to book online, wear a mask, and use anti-bac gels.

"We feel strongly that our priority is to continue to provide a safe environment for our customers and our barbers.

"We all have to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus."

Do you know anywhere else which is asking people to continue wearing masks? Email catherine.phillips@newsquest.co.uk.