Borough Market becomes first outdoor space in the UK to make face masks mandatory

From Monday (11 January) customers and operators at the market have to wear a face mask at and around the stalls unless they are exempt from doing on medical grounds or face a £50 fine.

Until now the outdoor market had only encouraged people to wear a face mask but the landlord now says the time has come to make it mandatory to help stop the spread of the virus.

Borough Market has remained a popular destination for visitors during the periods of lockdown thanks to its status as an essential retailer.

“I think we just have to be responsible,” says Kate Howell, director of development at the market.

“We’re open as an essential retailer, but we want to keep it safe for everybody.”

The market has joined a number of retailers, including supermarkets Sainsbury and Morrisons, in announcing that it will enforce mask wearing as the total number of deaths from Coronavirus reach record levels across the country.

Speaking on Radio 4, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was as a risk of infection from people in crowded outdoor environments and that people should be considering wearing face masks in such situations.