As more shops and other businesses reopen, and some pupils go back to school, people are being urged to remember social distancing rules and in some cases to wear face coverings.

Some food shops on the peninsula are beginning to ask customers to wear masks in order to protect staff, while other restrictions, including only one or two people allowed o premises at any one time.

Shotley Post Office and Stores has added face coverings to its rules on going into the shop as of this morning.

Owner Manish Patel explained: "We would rather not have to do this but our customers and staff are really valuable to us.

"Their safety is of paramount importance and the advice given by government experts appears to be people should wear masks in shops."

Wearing face coverings is not universally popular, however more customers

Accept it is a necessity.

Saffy Scholes, from Shotley Gate, said: We regularly use Manish's and Hollingsworth's in Chelmondiston and we love them.

"Face coverings are not for everyone but for the short time you are in the shop it really does not hurt. It is better to be safe than sorry and if wearing a mask protects the staff who are there most of the day, and makes other people feel more comfortable psychologically about not catching Covid-19, then it is not a problem for us."

The Corner Garage in Shotley is also opening this morning from 8am, and people are being asked to wait outside the kiosk or reception and wait for assistance, and the owners Trish and Nick Butler have said they appreciate their customers' patience.

Car showrooms and outdoor markets are allowed to open today, with non-essential shops following on June 15, provided they carry out certain restrictions including two-metre distancing, restriction on numbers, Perspex-type screens and in some cases face coverings.

The government advice is: People should wear face coverings when they are in "an enclosed space where social distancing isn't possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet", for instance in some shops or on public transport.

The Government document states that, while wearing a face covering does not protect the wearer, it may protect others if people are infected but have not yet developed symptoms.

Who should wear one?

Experts have previously suggested that, in order for the use of masks to be an effective tool in reducing infections, around nine in 10 people need to wear them.

Some groups – such as people with breathing problems or young children – may struggle to wear face coverings.

The Government document states that face coverings should not be used by children under the age of two, people with respiratory conditions or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly – such as primary school age children unassisted.

Scarves, cotton home-made coverings that cover nose and mouth and other bought masks that are not ones used by the health service are fine.

Officials said that people can make coverings at home, but added that "the key thing is it should cover your mouth and nose".

People have been advised not to use surgical masks or respirators as these should be reserved for health and care workers and for people in industrial settings such as those exposed to dust.

The World Health Organisation has said it is imperative that medical masks are prioritised for health and care workers.

Masks are available ay Hollingsworth's at £3.50, Shotley Premier Stores with suggested donation of £2 to community projects and online.