How many people are already wearing masks in Oxford shops?

The Westgate Centre boasts 125 high-street shops, of which most of them have reopened since rules were relaxed last month.

A handful of shops, like New Look and John Lewis, are still closed.

Others, like Lush, have changed the layout of the shop.

Superdrug has set up barriers outside to control queues and at Primark, staff are counting people in and out.

One of the assistants said that the maximum amount of people allowed inside was capped at 365 – across the two floors.

Inside at lunchtime today there were ‘about 200’ people inside.

On the ground floor, we decided to walk around, counting the numbers of people who were, and were not, wearing a mask.

Between 11.20am and 11.30am we counted 19 people wearing a mask – some of which were staff.

Another two people were wearing the masks incorrectly over their chin or exposing their nose.

Next up was Leiden Square – the green area next to the car parks near John Lewis.

In the 10 minutes from 11.30 to 11.40, we counted 65 people walking past.

Of which just shy of half of them, 27, were covered up.

Some really little children – who are exempt from the rules– were also wearing facial coverings.

But another three people were wearing a mask incorrectly again.

We then took a trip to the roof terrace where we counted 38 people walking around between 11.45 and 11.50.

The roof terrace area is lined with fancy bars and restaurants – some of which are still closed.

It also has the toilets, which are open to members of the public.

Read more: Here's everything you need to know about the new way of shopping at the Westgate Centre

Only three people were wearing masks – two of which were cleaners – leaving 35 people browsing with no mask.

Finally to see how much would have to change when face masks were made mandatory in shopping areas, we headed to the Westgate Social – home to four restaurants still open for business: Tommi’s burger joint, Nev’s Noodles, Benito's Hat and Mac Factory.

On a walk round the Social we counted 25 people sitting at a table and waiting in line for food.

Only one person was wearing a mask – including the restaurant workers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that face masks would be made mandatory in all shops from next Friday.

Anybody who is caught not wearing a mask could face a £100 fine.

Oxford shops largely welcomed the idea, saying they hope it will give shoppers more confidence.

The rule is similar to those caught not wearing a mask on public transport.

Readers were fairly split about the new face masks rules and in a poll of nearly 900 people – 33 per cent said they had already been wearing a mask at every opportunity.

Another 23 per cent said it was wrong to fine people £100.

On Facebook we asked readers if they would feel safer going to shops on July 24 when masks are made compulsory and 58 per cent agreed.

Let us know what you think about the new rules in the comments below…