Ministers have announced that it will be mandatory to wear facial masks and coverings when using public transport from June 15.
That means if you use trains, tubes, trams, ferries, planes or buses, you must cover your nose and mouth to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Those without an adequate face covering could be refused travel on public transport and may even face a fine.
Many people have already been wearing masks for walks or to shop for groceries, but now it’s official – and there’s more choice than ever.
Not to be mistaken for clinical medical grade face masks (or PPE), which NHS staff and frontline workers still need to stay safe, facial masks and coverings are typically made from cloth and elastic and sometimes feature a removable filter so that you can change it to keep it working effectively.
Buying reusable cloth masks for personal use ensures that supplies of clinical PPE are there and remain stable for the people who really need them.
Despite advice at the beginning of the pandemic, the government is now advocating the use of face masks. This is so that the mask can catch as many water droplets as possible containing coronavirus to reduce the chances of others from catching it. Even if you don’t show symptoms, you could still be a spreader.
You’ll still need to wash hands thoroughly and use hand sanitiser, but wearing a mask is an additional measure we all can take to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
Cast your mind back to January 1 of this year: if we had told you we would all be wearing masks by mid-June you may have thought we’d lost the plot. But just like those awkward Zoom calls, social distanced park picnics and takeaway pints from some pubs, face masks are now just another symbol of the strange, strange times we’re living in.
There’s slightly more to it than simply bunging it on. Here are a few do’s and don’t’s from Gov.UK to wearing a mask as safely as possible.
Facial masks are undeniably for safety first, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them too.
We’ve found cool prints, bold designs and designer styles, all available to shop online, to keep you protected – while looking as good as possible.
Starting from £15 to £139 for 12 packs, there are more than 100 masks to browse at Badger & Wolf. If your focus is on style as well as safety, we like these triple-pack of double layered silk masks by Gisy.
Migrate Art has teamed up with a group of 10 artists to launch a collection of limited edition re-usable, reversible face masks, with profits going towards helping displaced and homeless people in the UK. You can buy single masks, and also sets of five (£79.99) to cover everyone in your household or simply keep as spares. Singles from £19.99.
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Vintage Daisy Chain Fabric Washable Reusable Face Mask
With a pocket for filters and bendy wire over the bridge of the nose so you can adjust it to your features, this mask from Nervous Stitch has all boxes ticked. The breathable cotton fabric ensures you won’t overheat or steam up, and the pattern nods towards a vintage aesthetic – the fabric used is John Lewis’s Daisy Chain print.
£25 | NOTHS
Shop all face coverings and masks at Not On The High Street
Just Hype Adult Grey Knit Face Masks
There’s a great mix of masks on offer at Hype, from block colours to neon knits for men, women and kids. Prices start at just under a tenner for a black design with the distinctive ‘hype.’ script on the front. Despite the Hannibal-esque aesthetic, we like this grey knit and mesh design, which will cover your nose, mouth and chin without leaving you feeling smothered.
£11.99 | Hype
Prezzybox Face Mask – Nature Prints
A pretty mask that acts as a barrier against coronavirus droplets, Prezzybox has a wide selection of facial shields online at the moment – including this one that you can personalise with a photo.
Arriving at your door in up to five working days, each one features a design that’s made to fit over your nose, mouth and chin with the help of elastic ear loops. While it’s not a replacement for PPE, opting to use these frees up masks for NHS workers and frontline staff that need them. The masks come with two filters for added protection, which you can clean and reuse. The company pledges to donate £1 to the NHS Charities campaign for each mask sold.
£15.99 | Prezzybox
Shop Prezzybox Camouflage Print Masks
Shop Prezzybox Animal Print Masks
Shop Prezzybox Rainbow Print Masks
Pucker Face Masks
Positioning itself as a place to “buy a mask with morals”, Pucker helps support independent makers and charities by giving them 25 per cent of profits on sales made through the site. Every block colour mask is handmade in the UK from a triple layer of high-quality, soft, breathable cotton. They have a shaped nose and chin, adjustable nose bridge and ear toggles to provide a secure, top-of-the-range fit.
The masks also have a pocket which can hold a range of particulate filters (available to buy on the site) for that extra layer of protection. Prices are £17 per mask.
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Boden Non-Medical Face Covering – Multi
Offering a surprise selection of three masks in every set, Boden’s non-medical face masks are stylish yet practical. There’s wire in the nose bridge to help it sit snug against your face and the ear loops are covered in matching fabric, offering a nice finish than just plain elastic. From each sale, £5 will go to help charity Helpforce.
£20 | Boden
HONYAO Reusable Face Masks
Resuable and machine washable, this budget pack of two-layer stretchy cotton black and white face masks offers great value for anyone who’s not fussed about winning style points. Each pack contains four of each colour.
£17.99 | Amazon
Shop reusable face masks at Amazon
David Watson Face Masks
These made-to-order masks use iconic prints from the likes of William Morris to give 2020’s top personal hygiene product a unique aesthetic. The arty masks, made from breathable, quilted fabric, come with elastic ear loops and are available in child and adult sizes to get as perfect a fit as possible. Best of all, 10 per cent goes to the NHS Charities Together.
It’s important to note that orders at David Watson are only made per order, so delivery can take up to two weeks. Machine washable.
£20 | David Watson
Shop all masks at David Watson
Pearl Lowe – Reusable Print Silk Masks
Delivered two weeks after ordering, these stunning masks add a touch of style to any outfit, whether you’re meeting friends for a socially distanced picnic or just heading to the supermarket for the essentials. They’re made from off-cuts from Pearl Lowe’s studio; think vintage floral prints on soft silk, all around the £30 mark.
A portion of the sales of the matching silk Liberty print dresses will go to the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to support frontliners in these trying times.
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MaskClub
After a hugely successful US launch, MaskClub is coming to the UK with thousands of officially licensed designs, from Adventure Time and Dexter’s Laboratory to Wonder Woman and Superman on soft, breathable fabric. There are also animal print and camouflage designs available too, so a style to suit every taste.
MaskClub is another company offering masks for good, vowing to donate 10 per cent of sales to NHS Charities Together. Masks are typically £13.99 for a one-off purchase, but you can buy them on a monthly subscription and save up to 30 per cent off too.
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Paisie adjustable non-surgical face mask in navy
Selling masks for delivery in mid-July, now’s the perfect time to lock down your order of Paisie’s non-surgical masks. They offer exceptionally good value for money – Paisie is selling the masks with free delivery at cost price – and are made using surplus cotton from the company’s studio.
They stress: “Whilst these masks are not a substitute for medical-grade ones, when used properly and with a filter they will help to contribute to less particle transmission.” There’s space in the double layer mask to fit in your own filter.
£6 | Paisie
Pharma-Saurus
When 24 year-old Claire Gifford came to England from Australia she was full of hope for her future. Unfortunately her arrival coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, stopping her original plans in their tracks. Instead, she set up Pharma-Saurus, which offers face masks and coverings in an array of fun, cheerful prints.
Each one is made with certified materials – think locally sourced cotton with a non woven anti-allergenic inner layer that’s comfortable to wear against the skin and filters out 95 per cent of airborne particles. Reinforced stitching and clever filtration helps to clean the air without trapping moisture.
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Luisa Cerano mask sets
There are two printed sets of masks to snap up at Luisa Cerano. One is a pale pink and green two set, the other a darker botanical print. Each set comprises two masks, made with double layers of breathable cotton, wire over the nose bridge and colour coordinated ear loops.
£22 | Luisa Cerano
ASOS Design Face Coverings
The online fashion and beauty superstore is selling masks in packs of two for men and women. Patterns include animal print, plain black, army camo and bouji baroque prints.
£12 a set | ASOS
Palava face masks
Offering playful dresses for women and kids, Palava has turned its attention to mask making for adults and children. £5 from the profits of each mask will go to the makers, while a further £2 will be donated to the Trussel Trust to help support emergency food initiatives and those locked in poverty.
The company has also made a PDF of the mask pattern available to download for free on its website, so you can have a go yourself if you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine.
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Lavender Hill Clothing cotton face masks
A British brand focused on sustainability, this company is offering soft cotton masks in packs of three using printed fabric. They’re made with three pleated layers for ultimate protection, and best of all, for every pack purchased, the company will donate the same to a charity supporting vulnerable people in Battersea. We like the navy stripe design the best.
£25 for 3 | Lavender Hill Clothing
Adidas Face Cover Large 3-Pack
Made with flexible, recycled textiles, this plain black mask can be machine washed to keep it clean and fresh for daily wear. What’s more, €2 from every sale will go towards the Save the Children’s Global Coronavirus Response Fund.
£12.95 | Adidas
Plumo Protective Masks
Shop masks for men, women and children at Plumo. The company hand makes the mask from four layers of organic linen for ultimate breathailoity, while the elastic ear loops ensure you get a secure fit. Like many other vendors, Plumo is helping the coronavirus fight by donating to the ‘Masks 4 Heroes’ crowdfunding campaign, which aims to providing PPE to NHS frontline staff.
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1Rebel Face Mask
The spin and gym studio has released an all-black mask to help fitness fans to cut the spread of Covid-19. Made of light mesh fabric, it’s light and breathable and comes with a Velcro fastening for a secure fit. It comes with an air filter that should remain effective for up to a fortnight, after which you’ll need to fit a new one. 1Rebel says on its website that it will be selling replacement filters soon.
£10 | 1Rebel
Johan Ku face mask
Love it or hate it, face masks are a part of our future. Johan Ku nails the national mood with an Andy Warhol-inspired Marmite print mask, which is shaped to fit over the lower part of the face properly. The designer has a selection of other printed masks for sale, all made to keep you safe while helping you to stand out from the crowd.
£19.50 | Johan Ku
Isabel Manns Mandevilla Vine Cotton Mask
With all profits going to the NHS, the chic designs on offer at Isabel Manns not only help you stay safe and look good, but do good too. There’s a gap in the lining so you can place a filter inside if you like. There are six designs available on the site to choose from; we’re drawn to the cheerful Mandevilla design.
£12 | Isabel Mann
