​Face coverings will be made compulsory for everyone in shops as from Friday

Face coverings will be made compulsory for everyone in shops as from Friday. This will apply to shoppers as well as members of staff.

This is part of a new series of measures imposed by the Government as a result of the rise in Covid 19 cases, which includes changes to curfews in bars and restaurants.

The latest set of Government statistics show there are 21 active cases of Covid 19 in Gibraltar, 19 of them residents, and two visitors.

There are a further five cases of non-residents. These figures do not include the players from FC Pristina, who were tested in Spain.

The steady rise in cases led to a meeting of the Platinum Command committee earlier this week, and as expected, a new series of measures have been brought in to respond accordingly.

As from Friday: masks must be worn in retail areas: not just staff but all members of the public entering a shop breaches will result in a fixed penalty notice

People with disabilities or mental illness and those in emergency situations are exempted. The new law re masks will not apply to children under the age of 11, although they are encouraged to wear masks in shops.

The Government says contact tracing shows the principal risk at the moment relates to the way people socialise & because they are not keeping to gatherings of fewer than 20 nor maintaining social distancing.

Because of this, conditions in relation to bars & restaurants will be tightened further.

Curfew at bars & restaurants will be brought forward by an hour. As from this Friday, last orders will be at 12:30am and bars must be shut by 1:00am.

Bars and restaurants operate on basis of permit issued by Director of Public Health. These are subject to conditions designed to minimise risk. Any premises found not to be complying with the conditions risks the permit being suspended.

So as from Friday, any bar or restaurant found to be breaching the conditions will also be subject to an on the spot fine.

Additionally, any restaurant breaching three times in a 14-day period will have their permit revoked & will be required to reapply.

And, any drinking of alcohol in public places that are not licensed areas will be prohibited after 11:00pm and will also be subject to fixed penalty notices.