Sadiq Khan has made an urgent call for the Government to make wearing face coverings mandatory for customers in shops and other confined spaces.

The Mayor of London has written to Prime Minster Boris Johnson today calling for an extension to the rules which requires people to wear face masks on public transport and in hospitals.

He says that face coverings are increasingly important to stopping the spread of Covid-19 as lockdown restrictions are eased, and wants Londoners to wear them wherever they can't maintain social distancing.

Khan said: "With lockdown easing, it’s our responsibility is to do all we can to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.

“There’s no room for complacency when lives are at risk.

“That’s why I’m calling on the government to make face coverings mandatory in all shops and confined public spaces.”

In his letter to the PM, he wrote: “The use of face coverings will become increasingly important as lockdown restrictions are eased and as London and our nation’s recovery gets underway.

"The high level of use on our public transport network has again shown that Londoners are willing to act to protect their community, but the Government’s current rules are lagging behind other countries."

Non-essential shops in England were given permission to open on Monday and further easing of the lockdown is expected next month, with bars and restaurants hoping to welcome customers from July 4.

Large queues were spotted outside shops such as Primark when the reopened at the start of the week.

Austria, France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain have already made it compulsory to wear a face mask in shops.

“With non-essential shops now opening and the public returning to our high streets, I urge the Government to follow WHO guidance and make these coverings mandatory for those shopping in retail outlets and in other spaces where it is impossible to keep a safe distance.”