Masks will be back in synagogues today as new Covid-prevention rules come into effect in England.

Places of worship are among the indoor settings where face-coverings are again compulsory as the government seeks to contain the spread of the new omicron variant of the virus.

The United Synagogue was already encouraging congregations to insist on mask wearing before the rule change.

Latest figures show omicron is more infectious than previous strains, although scientists are waiting for more data to gauge the effectiveness of vaccines against it.

There have been 954 Covid-related deaths in the UK Jewish community since the outbreak of the pandemic early last year, according to the Board of Deputies.