NEW rules making it compulsory to wear face coverings in shops and supermarkets have been supported by Kendal businesses.

On Tuesday Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed that face coverings must be worn from July 24, and anyone flouting the new legislation could be landed with a £100 fine.

Sarah Williams, Kendal Business Improvement District (BID) manager, said: “ I don’t think it’s anymore of a barrier now for people going shopping than it has been already.

“When you look around a lot of people are wearing face masks anyway.

“People are shopping more online but we’re hoping to get them back into the high-street. But they have to do that safely.”

Ms Williams praised the hard work already undertaken by businesses and encouraged the public to support the local high-street.

“Many of our businesses have protected their customers with screens and handwashing, they’re doing their best and now it’s up to the public,” she said.

“If people want their high-street to survive they need to support them, because not all of them will survive if people stay away.”

She believes face masks will instil more confidence in shoppers.

“I think it will give people confidence, I know when I go to the shop everyone will be wearing a mask because it’s law, and if you’re not wearing a mask you’re not coming in,” she said.

Sandra Rodrigues, owner of Begin with Nature in Kendal, said: “The wearing of masks is very welcome, as it should have been implemented earlier.

“I don’t think it will put customers off, on the contrary, it will give them more confidence to come into town.”

Amanda Slattery, owner of clothes shop Maya Maya in Kendal, said: “The general feeling amongst our team and customers has been that this step was expected at some point. I’ve not experienced any major negative comments, most people we speak to are resigned to the fact that it will become the norm.”

Maya Maya are selling their own personalised face masks and donating money to CancerCare.

There has been ongoing debate as to the effectiveness of wearing masks to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The public were first advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces in May.

Legislation changed once again on June 15 to make face coverings compulsory on public transport.

Under the new rules those with certain disabilities will be exempt, as well as children under eleven.