SHOPPERS will be required to wear a face covering before entering a store as of this Friday - and businesses in Worcestershire are urging members of the public to "do their bit".

As shops across the county continue to reopen to customers, new guidelines have already been implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including keeping two metres apart from others where possible and regularly washing hands.

From July 24, shoppers will also - by law - need to wear a face covering before going into a shop.

The head of a local businesses partnership is urging people across the county to do their bit to help protect others.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Businesses across Worcestershire have been working hard to implement changes to make sure their stores and shops are safe for the public.

"Now is the time for individuals to start safely returning back to the world and it is crucial that to do this they follow the latest Government guidelines to keep themselves and others safe.

"Doing this will allow us as a county to begin recovering and encouraging growth back into our local business community.”

Dr Kathryn Cobain, director of public health for Worcestershire, said: “ The people of Worcestershire and our Business community have all worked hard to stop Covid-19 from spreading.

"Worcestershire’s vibrant stores are safe places to shop, thanks to their efforts, but we all need to help keep the shops safe by now wearing a face mask in store and keeping our distance and washing our hands.

"All these measures help us keep us and our loved ones safe.”

Not everyone will have to wear a face covering in shops. For information on exemptions, click here.