Petition · past parliament
Repeal the laws making face coverings in shops / public transport compulsory.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
The government should repeal all of the laws associated with the compulsory wearing of face masks / coverings in shops, takeaways and public transport as they will kill off consumer confidence and create a climate of fear and confrontation.
The use of face coverings should be voluntary as the governments own advice to shops and branches states:
“It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a face covering to protect others is weak and the effect is likely to be small.”
Compulsory use will encourage a disregard for other more effective countermeasures such as hand washing and will increase the risk of transmission of disease through frequent touching of coverings to adjust position and inconsiderate disposal.
“It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a face covering to protect others is weak and the effect is likely to be small.”
Compulsory use will encourage a disregard for other more effective countermeasures such as hand washing and will increase the risk of transmission of disease through frequent touching of coverings to adjust position and inconsiderate disposal.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Repeal the decision to implement compulsory face coverings in English shops.
Don't make the wearing of face masks compulsory in public places in England
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
Don't make the wearing of face masks compulsory in public places in England
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Government has also created an online service to help you find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/192/the-governments-response-to-coronavirus/
Timeline
| 23 Jul 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jul 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
30 Jul 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.