People wearing face masks outside during the coronavirus pandemic in the UK 2020/21

As of January 3, 2021. it was found that around 65 percent of survey respondents in the United Kingdom had been wearing a face mask outside to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus (COVID-19). The share of people wearing a mask in the UK has increased significantly since March, when only eight percent of respondents were always wearing a face mask outside, while according to the latest survey wave eleven percent reported never wearing a mask. Across the four countries of the UK, there hads been differing timings of regulations to make the wearing of face masks mandatory in public places. Compared to the UK, some other European countries introduced the wearing of face masks earlier into the pandemic.

The latest number of cases in the UK can be found here. For further information about the coronavirus pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.