Keep wearing face coverings, please, shops to tell customers

HIGH STREET shops will ask customers to continue wearing masks even though the Government is scrapping all coronavirus restrictions.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said its members were in “no rush” to remove safety measures, including protective screens and hand sanitiser.

Most of the shops it represents said they would continue to encourage customers to wear masks.

Shops are taking a cautious approach even though the Prime Minister has announced that Covid regulations, including those that mandate lockdown and require people to self-isolate if they test positive, will be scrapped from tomorrow.

Face coverings will no longer be legally compulsory anywhere but businesses will be allowed to choose the approach they adopt. Nightclubs, theatres and shops could request that coverings are worn by staff and customers.

The BRC, which represents more than 170 large retailers in the UK, said that most of its members were reviewing the changes. Most planned to leave their guidance on masks unchanged.

While the wearing of masks indoors has not been compulsory in England since Jan 27, many have encouraged customers to continue wearing them. Some said they would keep the measures in place until April 1.

Supermarkets are taking different approaches. Waitrose encourages customers to wear masks but from tomorrow it will drop the guidance and move towards a policy of “personal choice”. Sanitising stations and protective screens will remain in place but signage and loud speaker announcements will no longer encourage the use of masks.

Tesco is still encouraging colleagues and customers to wear face masks. Sainsbury’s said it was reviewing the guidance.

Essential shops, such as supermarkets and pharmacists, are likely to move slower on masks and protective screens as they serve vulnerable customers.