Only 1 in 10 would challenge shoppers flouting mask rule
ONLY 14 per cent of people said they would challenge someone who isn’t wearing a mask in a shop or supermarket, according to a survey by the M.E.N.
We asked our readers how they felt about the changes to the face covering rule which came into force on Friday, more than four months since lockdown was imposed in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is now mandatory in England to cover your mouth and nose while in a shop, supermarket, shopping centres and transport hubs, such as indoor stations and airports. You could get fined if you don’t comply.
However, major supermarkets have spoken out about the change in policy saying they will not be taking responsibility for enforcing the rules.
Union leaders voiced fears the rules could put workers’ safety at risk if there are abusive customers or people who refuse to wear a mask.
More than 11,800 readers responded to our face mask survey:
When asked whether wearing masks in shops and supermarkets is the right thing to do, 59 per cent (7,022) said that it is, 30pc (3,602) said no and 11pc (1,260) were unsure.
But of those surveyed, only 39pc (4,616) had been wearing a mask or covering during lockdown prior to the rule change. Some 45pc (5,302) said they hadn’t been wearing one and 17pc (1,966) said they did sometimes.
When it came to whether they think people will follow the new rules, 46pc (5,521) said no, 23pc (2,698) said yes and the remaining 31pc (3,665) said they were unsure.
In terms of challenging fellow shoppers on not wearing a face mask, 69pc (8,210) said they wouldn’t while 17pc (1,980) said they were unsure and 14pc (1,694) said they would.
On whether they have made or bought their own face covering 63pc of people (7,461) said they had purchased theirs, 16pc (1,870) had not bought or made their own, 15pc (1,766) had bought and made their own and only 6pc (760) had made their own.