SHOPPING centres in St Helens have explained the measures they are taking to remind customers of the face mask requirement.

The government made it a requirement to wear a face covering in all shops and public transport from November 30, unless individuals are exempt, in response to the detection of the Omicron variant

Hospitality settings such as pubs and restaurants are excluded.

The Omicron mutation of coronavirus, which was first identified by researchers in South Africa last week, is expected to replace Delta as the current dominant variant.

Although scientists are confident that vaccines work well against all variations of Covid, there are concerns that they may be less effective in preventing re-infection and transmission in relation to Omicron.

READ > Advice for residents following Omicron variant

Boris Johnson said the mask measure is "temporary and precautionary" and insisted Christmas plans will not have to be cancelled.

A review of the mask mandate has been scheduled for three weeks' time. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the mask mandate will not be in place for “a day longer than is necessary” if the variant turns out to be no more dangerous than Delta.

In the national press today he is quoted as suggesting a planned government review of rules in England could even be brought forward earlier than the three-week timeframe.

In St Helens the Hardshaw Centre has put signage in place, though adds it "has no powers of enforcement" and that these lie with environmental health officers.

A spokesman for the centre said: "I can confirm that we will be displaying signage informing shoppers of the requirement to wear face coverings in shops.

"We don’t have any powers of enforcement, this duty lies with the environmental health officers, we can only advise."

Meanwhile, Church Square Shopping Centre has signage and a tannoy system to remind shoppers of the mask requirement.

A spokeswoman said: "We have messaging across social media, the website, in centre tannoy system and signage in the centre."