'I trust people’s good sense': Face coverings will not be made compulsory in shops, Michael Gove says

Face coverings will not be made compulsory in shops, Michael Gove says – insisting: “I trust people’s good sense.”

Boris Johnson had hinted at copying Scotland by introducing the rule, as he was pictured for the first time wearing a covering himself.

But, asked if that would be “mandatory” in shops, Mr Gove said. “I don’t think mandatory, but I would encourage people to wear face masks.

“It is basic good manners, courtesy and consideration to wear a face mask if, for example, you are in a shop. I trust people’s good sense.”

The cabinet office minister also revealed the government was significantly boosting the manufacture of face coverings, with factories “in Wales and Burnley”.

The government has been accused of spreading confusion on the issue, with only 36 per cent of Britons wearing coverings in public places – far short of the numbers in France (78 per cent) and Italy (83 per cent).

Some scientists had welcomed the prime minister’s hints at being ‘stricter”, when he said: “We are looking at ways of making sure that people really do have face coverings in shops, for instance, where there is a risk of transmission.”

Professor Venki Ramakrishnan, president of The Royal Society, said everyone’s mouth and nose should be covered in public, to reduce the risk of a second wave of coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation said last week that there is “emerging evidence” that infections could be

spread through particles travelling through the air.