Supermarket chains to enforce mask wearing in shops

Julie Nash — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:29:56 +0000

Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and other major multiples are enforcing mask wearing in their stores, following concerns about behaviour in stores – including an incident at one store in Derry/Londonderry where police arrested one man.

The companies said entry would be denied to those not wearing masks unless they had a valid medical reason. Sainsbury’s also said it would use security guards to challenge those shopping in groups. Four men were arrested following a brawl outside its store in Chelmsford.

Keep everyone safe

The company said it has written to customers to ask them to play their part in keeping everyone safe, adding that it has “significantly reduced” the number of customers allowed into stores at any one time.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

“The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.

Shop alone

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt in line with government guidance.

“We are asking our customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children.”

There are only a few cases where people can be exempt from wearing face masks in settings such as supermarkets, including children under the age of 11, people who physically cannot put a mask on or wear one, and people for whom putting on, wearing or taking off a mask would cause “severe distress”.

Also exempt are people accompanying those who rely on lip reading, or those in cases where using a mask would risk harm or injury to others.

Violence and abuse

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Sadly, (enforcing mask rules) has led to a sharp rise in incidents of violence and abuse against shop workers, which is why it is essential police support the work being done by retailers.”

Mr Opie insisted that data from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had shown retail was a safe environment, and noted that firms had spent hundreds of millions of pounds on safety measures including perspex screens, additional cleaning and social distancing.

“Supermarkets continue to follow all safety guidance and customers should be reassured that supermarkets are COVID secure and safe to visit during lockdown and beyond,” he said.

The post Supermarket chains to enforce mask wearing in shops first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Mask Etiquette

Julie Nash — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:37:37 +0000

The Great Big Cover Up

To mask or not to mask – that was the question?

Now the Northern Ireland Executive has made face coverings in shops mandatory from Monday 10^th August 2020.

NR examines some of the issues around the controversial topic.

Mixed messages in a pandemic is bad policy. What’s needed most is clear, concise public communication. So what went wrong? Why did this simple task, the simple ask, to protect staff, shoppers, families and communities from a killer disease become so controversial?

Managing human behaviour and asking an entire society to comply is challenging in itself. Those that oppose face coverings claim it’s an assault on their personal autonomy and rights – but with rights, comes responsibility. Surely when it comes to a pandemic, each and every one of us has a responsibility to adhere to a simple, potentially life saving request? When that simple task/ask is not respected, then government has no option but to step in and make it mandatory.

Common Sense

‘You know it makes sense’ is a tired, old advertising slogan – which could easily be resurrected for the CoVid era.

The early conflicting scientific advice caused considerable confusion – but now, we know better and it’s clear. CoVid is a water droplet, air borne virus – and wearing a simple face covering can reduce spread. Remember that other old advertising slogan of years ago – ‘coughs and sneezes spread diseases’? They still do. It’s not about fear-mongering or making people feel awkward or uncomfortable, it boils down to basic good manners – respecting that you value every one else’s health and well being as much as your own.

For some people, with certain conditions, wearing a face mask is simply not an option. Some stores have implemented their own-store policies on masks, face coverings, and screens to protect their customers, staff and communities.

Health Minister Robin Swann initially appealed to Northern Ireland’s shoppers to wear a mask – or it would become compulsory. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have been clear that people should cover up their airways before venturing out, another political representative opted to flaunt the rules in some sort of gesture of defiance.

With some of the recent clusters announced originating in shops and a takeaway – it’s imperative that businesses take note.

The decision was taken as the R rate (the rate of spread in the community) increased in Northern Ireland. It needs to be below 1 to combat the spread – it’s currently somewhere between 0.8 and 1.8.

Mask Manners

A brand new social etiquette for the 2020s has emerged – let’s call it ‘mask manners’. How can an employee manage a potentially challenging situation in-store?

If a customer refuses to wear a face covering, and they don’t have an exemption, you can decide to refuse them entry, according to advice from the Federation of Small Businesses.

Retailers will not have legal powers to enforce the wearing of face coverings on their premises, although they may choose to refuse entry to customers who refuse to wear a face covering whilst on the premises.

Retailers in Northern Ireland are not being asked to police the wearing of face coverings.

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “It’s really about trying to give confidence to people who feel vulnerable and maybe have been shielding.

“We’re asking the public of Northern Ireland to work again with us around all of these issues and to listen to what we’re asking them to do.

“If people get to the position where we’re issuing fixed penalty tickets then we will have failed in telling people why it is important to do this.”

Ultimately, the liability for choosing whether or not to wear the mask rests with the individual, not the shop.

Basic Etiquette

What are the simple ‘Do’s and Don’t’s’

The DO’s

Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching the mask.
Inspect your mask for damage before placing it around your ears by the straps.
Make sure to cover your mouth, chin and nose.
Avoid touching the mask or removing it around people.
Clean your hands before removing the mask by its straps.
Store dry, clean mask in a resealable bag if you plan to re-use it. Or wash mask in detergent and hot water, once daily.
Always clean your hands after removing the mask.

The DON’T’s

A mask should be snug across the chin and nose— not loose.
Don’t wear a damaged mask.
Don’t wear the mask under your nose. It should cover the nose at the bridge.
Don’t remove the mask within 4 feet of someone in public.
Do not share masks.
Children under the age of 2 and senior adults who have respiratory issues are not recommended for mask wearing.