MANDATORY MASK wearing in shops and on public transport was reintroduced today, in an attempt to stop the spread of the new Covid variant, Omicron.

The new rules mean that it will now be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and on public transport , with officials also advising secondary schools to encourage the same rules within corridors and outside classrooms.

We asked our T&A readers what they thought, and here's what they said:

Many of our readers were for the idea:

Eve Hutton - "I have never not worn mine and personally I think it is important to still wear. It one saves lives."

Lynne Gash - "It's a good idea, safety first and all that."

Simon Hill - "It's up to people taking their own personal responsibility, I hate wearing masks due to an ongoing sinus problem, but I would oblige if it saved lives (Including my own!)"

Alicia Fieldhouse - "Coughs and sneezes, spread diseases. Protect yourselves, and others. Don’t be a selfish individual. Just think of your family and other people’s families and loved ones!!! In anticipation thank you, do the right thing and get your jab people. Better wearing a mask when out and about, than a shroud! It’s as simple as that!"

But others are frustrated that rules have been introduced again:

Michelle Eggett: "Understand it, but sick Of masks."

June Cheal: "This is what gets me, you have to wear them on buses and in shops, but not in pubs, derr no logic there...."

Margaret Illingworth: "You can go to the pub for a few hours ... No mask needed go for a bit of shopping n you've got to wear one!!! It's crackers"

Joanne Skelton: "So much for an irreversible roadmap. A lot of people are angry and frustrated me included. We need to learn to live with this now ..not keeping enforcing restrictions or measures."

The reintroduction of mandatory rules for face coverings in shops and on public transport has caused widespread debate.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ilkley, Indp) said she has continued to wear a mask in shops anyway and added it is "good manners" and "little to ask".

Sarah Muckle, Director of Public Health for Bradford Council, said: “Any virus can develop different strains over time and it is not unexpected that a new variant has been discovered.

“We all need to continue to take basic precautions to reduce the chances of Covid infections by washing our hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed or crowded areas and making sure rooms are ventilated.”

So far there have not been any confirmed cases of Omicron in the Bradford district.