How is Norfolk reacting to the face mask rule change?
- Credit: Denise Bradley  Although face masks will no longer be compulsory after July 19, people will still be encouraged to wear them in certain settings across Norfolk and Waveney. Businesses, attractions and other venues are taking different approaches, with some saying they will encourage face mask use, and others leaving it entirely up to the individual. The new rules - which are subject to confirmation on July 12 - say face mask wearing will become a "personal choice" although they are likely to still be widely worn in hospitals and health care settings. We asked people in different sectors about how they would approach face masks in the future. Pubs and restaurants  Kevin Black, manager of the Henry IV, a Greene King pub in Fakenham, said they would still have measures including hand sanitiser, table service and ordering through an app, but masks would be voluntary. Kevin Black, manager of the Henry IV pub in Fakenham. - Credit: Neil Didsbury    He said: "I will be advising people to keep their masks on, we want to keep all our team and customers as safe as possible, but at the end of the day it is up to them, but we will be advising it." You may also want to watch:  Eric Snaith, owner of Titchwell Manor hotel and restaurant, as well as Erics Fish and Chips in Holt and Thornham and Eric's Pizza in Thornham, said he would leave it up to his staff and customers to decide. Eric Snaith at Eric's Fish and Chips in Thornham. - Credit: Eric's Fish and Chips  He said: "I think a lot of staff members won't hesitate to stop wearing them, but if any prefer to carry on wearing them then obviously that can continue. "People have become a lot more mindful of not getting in other's personal space, and more people are keen to sit outside if possible. But if we've got customers who are more comfortable with masks on we wouldn't hesitate to wear them." Theatres and cinemas  Debbie Thompson, director of Sheringham Little Theatre and St George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth, said: "We won't be saying masks are mandatory for audiences but our staff will be wearing masks. Debbie Thompson, director of Sheringham Little Theatre and St. George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Richard Batson    "The whole point is that we're protecting people by wearing a mask so we will be wearing masks." Lee Allwood, manager of Derehams Orion Cinema, said people would be able to choose whether to wear a mask or not when going to watch a film. He said: As an industry we take advice from the UK Cinema Association, but as I understand it, people will be free to make their own choice." The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft. - Credit: Archant    A spokesperson from Lowestoft's Marina Theatre said: "Although were excited to be able to remove restrictions we are proceeding with caution. "The most important things for us are that our audiences feel comfortable and that our staff are not put in a difficult position." Offices  Aviva, one of Norwich's biggest employers with around 5,000 staff in the city, said they would follow the official advice. A spokesperson said: "We will continue to follow government guidance on the use of face masks. They are therefore currently optional in our English offices, and remain mandatory in our Scottish offices." A spokesperson from North Norfolk District Council said: "We will reflect new advice in our service provision but will remain very happy for both customers and staff to continue to wear a face-covering if they choose to do so personally, and like all employers we will be undertaking a full risk assessment which will further inform our approach." Shops  Matthew Goddard, managing director of Picture Studios in Norwich and Lowestoft, said: "As a company we are going to continue to have them to hand. "What we have decided to do is that if the staff want to wear them, they can, and we will support them. Matthew Goddard, managing director of Picture Studios in Lowestoft and Norwich. - Credit: Picture Studios    "We will continue to wear them for the foreseeable future. "If customers come in without them, we will ask them if they are happy if we remove the masks we're wearing. "And if a family of customers are wearing masks, we will support them by wearing a mask as well." Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said wearing a mask in-store would become a "a matter of personal choice", but they would consult with employees on the matter. Sainsbury's supermarket in Hunstanton. - Credit: Chris Bishop  Gyms  Nathan Gostling, manager of the New Revolution gyms in Attleborough, Dereham, Watton and Wymondham, said July 19 would bring some normality again.  Nathan Gostling, front, with his team of managers in his New Revolution (NR) gym in Watton. From left, Scott Butters, Aaron Johnson, Vincent Willard and Jack Marshall. - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021  He said: Members will now have the choice about whether to wear a facemask, which is great. Weve lost members due to the face mask policy, because they didnt want to wear a mask or they didnt believe in masks. That impacted our business. We want to abide by the rules, but we dont want to enforce additional rules, because its just unmanageable.  On buses  Charles Sanders, owner of Sanders Coaches, said: "If the law says you don't have to wear one it's difficult for us to argue against that, but we'll put up notices saying for the comfort and safety of all passengers we request that you wear a mask". Belinda Rube. - Credit: Stuart Anderson  "I don't wear a face mask because I've got a medical exemption from my doctor. But when I don't wear one I get a lot of verbal abuse, so I have a snood, which is classed as a face covering, that I wear in shops. I'd feel safer if people kept wearing them." - Belinda Rube, 48, Heartsease  Mary Dryden. - Credit: Stuart Anderson  "I'd like if everybody wore their face masks because we're still in a period of high Covid, but people are not following the rules. If you go up to the coast you might as well be at a football match." - Mary Dryden, 69, Weasenham  Tim Dryden. - Credit: Stuart Anderson  "I think the government's wrong to change the rules around self-isolation. The incidence seems to be going up at an alarming rate. As for foreign travel, I don't see the point." - Timothy Dryden, 68 Weasenham  Shinwari Hikmatullah. - Credit: Stuart Anderson  "At the start most people didn't like to wear a mask. Hopefully it will be finished soon and everything will become normal. I think after July 19 some people will wear them and some people won't. It depends. On the street, only about two people out of 10 are wearing one, but if they go in a shop, they wear one." - Shinwari Hikmatullah, 20, Hellesdon  Glen Allen. - Credit: Stuart Anderson  "I will continue to wear one if I go in a shop, because I've got a chronic lung disease and I can't afford to get an infection. I think the pandemic is still here, and infections are on the rise. My personal opinion is that these restrictions on July 19 shouldn't be lifted." - Glen Allen, 68, Sprowston