Readers have been responding to the reintroduction of Covid related restrictions.

The restrictions, which are a repeat of what we have seen prior, include the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops and on public transport.

The restrictions were put in place at 4:00am on Monday, November 29, as announced by the Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

These restrictions were put in place as a response to the discovery of several cases of people infected with the new Omicron variant on the Coronavirus.

Views on this are mixed, with lockdown-sceptic Tories calling for there to be a vote on the introduction of these rules.

Businesses in Cumbria shared views too, such as Will Smillie, Managing Director of Border Embroideries, a uniform shop, who said on compulsory mask wearing: "I think it's a good thing to be honest.

"If we can keep things at bay a bit longer then we can stay open longer.

"We don't ever want to go back to a lockdown again.

"To be honest, we are predominantly a Scottish business and it has always been like that in Scotland.

"From our point of view, it is only Carlisle and Newcastle that would [see a big change]."

Readers were also sharing mixed views.

Sarah Jane Gonzalez-Romero said: "Utterly ridiculous!

"You can go into a busy pub, restaurant or nightclub and not wear a mask, but if you pop into a supermarket you’re supposed to wear one!

"Just another ploy from the government to keep people in fear so they run out for their 3rd booster and don’t get to used to freedom!"

David Thomson said: "More half measures, vague instructions and contradictory advice, brilliant.

"No wonder so many refuse to get vaccinated."

Patricia Richardson said: "They should have never been removed from transport and shopping, it will get worse, and losing someone to that awful disease is a tragedy.

"Some people don't realise how bad it is till losing a partner, friend, relationship, mum, dad, someone so close.

"It breaks your heart."

Victoria Mckenna said: "Glad to have masks back. Never should have been made none mandatory in the first place!

"Actually managed to enjoy some Christmas shopping without the worry of people being unmasked."