Following updated government restrictions in response to the new Omicron variant, masks are set to be compulsory in all shops and public transport from Tuesday, November 30.

Shoppers are being asked to respect mandatory mask rules, however it will be police responsibility to enforce masks.

The British Retail Consortium, which represents the industry, stated that: "customers are being asked to respect the rules and be considerate to their fellow shoppers and to hard-working shop staff."

The new rules will align England with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland where face coverings are still mandatory in shops.

Farplace Animal Rescue charity shop, which has 38 shops across the UK, two of which are in Hexham, stated they will not be enforcing masks to avoid risking aggression towards their staff.

Gareth Edwards, CEO of Farplace Animal Rescue charity, stated "we have noticed if staff challenge anyone who is not wearing a mask or disclaimer lanyard that they do receive verbal aggression certainly."

The stores will display polite notices asking customers to wear a face mask unless they are exempt, however Edwards stated "it is not the staff's job to enforce mask wearing."

The BBC previously reported that violence towards retail staff has increased during the pandemic.

Edwards insists that "anything to slow the virus down to keep the shop from closing and keep the business open" will be done. If the shops had to close, this would be devastating for the business and for the many animals they rescue and care for.

"Any government would take precautions to slow the spread of the new variant", says Edwards.

"Wearing masks in shops and public transport is not a big inconvenience", says Edwards, if it allows shops to stay open, especially as we approach the most fruitful time of the year for retailers.

However, Edwards does not believe that the mask mandate will affect trade, as people are "desperate for human interaction" and will choose to "shop at a quieter time if they are especially vulnerable."

The shop sells a wide range of items including furniture, Christmas decorations, and children's toys.

If social distancing measures are also reinstated, Edwards says this will be easily enforceable within the shop and even with limited numbers in the shop, this will still be preferable to closing the shop altogether.