First masks, now gloves may become compulsory

MINISTERS are considering requiring the public to wear gloves to combat Covid-19, as well as masks.

During a debate in the Lords, Lord Bethell, the health minister, said gloves were “an area we’re looking at” as the Government considered how best to protect the public from Covid-19.

The exchanges came on the day people in England were required to start wearing face coverings in shops, shopping centres, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets or risk a £100 fine.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Baroness Mcintosh of Pickering asked: “Has the Government formed a view on the use of gloves?

“Obviously, we’re all following the guidance of washing our hands but surely the correct use of gloves outdoors and indoors could prevent the passing on of the virus?” Lord Bethell, replied: “To date, gloves are not in the guidance but they remain an area that we’re looking at.”

However, government sources said they did not expect the policy to be introduced, saying there was no country that recommends the widespread use of gloves. The World Health Organisation says regularly washing hands offers more protection.

Yesterday, a row broke out between police and retailers over the compulsory wearing of face coverings. Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee, Sainsbury’s and Asda are among the stores that have said that while they will encourage customers to follow the rules, they will not be asking their staff to enforce the law.

Tom Ironside, director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium, said: “What’s very clear is enforcement is not a matter for retailers, that has to be a matter for the police because otherwise you will be asking staff in stores to do things which can add to the potential for conflict.” John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said forces “do not have the resources” to widely enforce the law and called on retailers to deny people entry.

Helen Whately, the care minister, said that the Government will be “encouraging” people to wear a mask but it was “not expecting the police to be called every time someone isn’t wearing a face mask, that would be inappropriate”.