SHOPPERS in West Wiltshire say they are getting used to wearing face coverings.

Following the introduction of the new ruling last Friday, many people said it should have been made compulsory weeks ago when lockdown began.

In Trowbridge, the Hughes family from Melksham welcomed the use of face coverings.

Mum Gemma Hughes, 38, was shopping in The Shires with husband Gareth, 41, and daughters Cerys, 7, and Ffion, 5.

She said: “I don’t mind it. I think it’s necessary, especially as people are not social distancing as much as they were.”

Gareth added: “At the end of the day, it’s a shame that we have to wear them because some people are not.”

Helen Blythe, 53, from Westbury, had popped out to The Shires to buy some trainers and look around the shops.

She said: “I have asthma and find it really hard to breathe but if it helps to protect me from the virus that’s good.”

Rosemarie May, 58, from Woolpack Meadows in Trowbridge, said: “I have diabetes and high blood pressure and wear glasses.

“I am so hot wearing the face mask but I will have to get used to it. I think it should have been done much earlier.”

Jan Skyrne, 65, from Farleigh Close, Chippenham, was another who was struggling to breathe while wearing a face covering.

She said: “I think it’s better to wear one rather than not. I have to be careful because I have no immune system.

“I had a tumour removed from my neck, as well as my lymph nodes and sinuses, so it’s hard to breathe. But I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

In Warminster, sales assistants at the Waitrose supermarket in Station Road said they had suffered abuse from some customers who had been asked to wear masks.

One said: “I’ve been sworn at, and some people have rolled their eyes or shaken their heads when asked to wear them.”

Richard Bradley, 71, from Lower Marshes, Warminster, said: “I think it’s a good thing.”