By James Simons-
Some high street chains in the Uk have announced they will not penalise customers for failing to wear face masks even with the new policy requiring them from today.
A number of high street chains including Sainsbury, Costa Coffee and Asda, have said they will need enforce the new laws that compel customers to were masks when shopping in their stores.
As from today, police in the Uk will be able to hand out £100 fines to people in shops, shopping centres, banks, and takeaway outlets who do not wear masks in order to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19.The British government had given the public about 2 weeks advance notice of the rules that make the wearing of masks mandatory which take effect today.
The rules apply to customers attending post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets. The College of Policing has said officers “should only be required as a last resort”.
Guidance issued by the Government on Thursday for England confirmed face coverings in takeaways would be mandatory and that staff in premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to “take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law” and can refuse entry to people who do not have a valid exemption under the rules..
Costa Coffee said it would “not be challenging customers” who are not wearing a mask “since they may have a legitimate reason as to why they are unable to wear one”.
Sainsbury also refused to take responsibility for people wearing masks. They said that while it is asking everyone to continue “playing their part” in helping to keep everyone safe in store by following the rules, “our colleagues will not be responsible for enforcing them”.
Asda expressed the same sentiment, stating that it would be strongly encouraging customers to wear a face covering”, adding that “It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to police and enforce the new rules.”
Staff at Waitrose said staff would be at the entrance to stores reminding customers of the requirement.
The requirement for face covering will also be applied to McDonald’s.
The take away service said customers will need to wear face coverings but those who eat in the restaurant will not unless they are moving around the premises, for example to use toilets or when at self-order screens.
Respectful
The British Retail Consortium called on customers to be “respectful” of the new rules and criticised the length of time taken for the guidance to be published.
Restaurants, pubs, gyms, hairdressers, beauty salons, leisure centres, cinemas, concert halls and theatres are exempt from the new rules. However, it is likely that many cinemas and and beauty salons will enforce the rules themselves.
Other exemptions to face coverings include children under 11, people with breathing problems and anyone who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability.
The guidance states that people should “assume” it is standard to wear a face covering when visiting a hospital, GP, care home or other primary or community healthcare setting.
Unrealistic
The Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers, said it was “unrealistic and unfair” to expect them to patrol the aisles looking for people breaking the coronavirus regulations.
This is because the police do not have the resources to do so.
It is also quite possible for some customers not to be have the basic funds to purchase masks. Customers on benefits for example may not be able to afford masks on days when they have run out of their limited fortnightly or monthly funds.
However, it remains the duty of everyone to purchase masks when they have the funds. Most people wearing masks would want to change their masks every so often to avoid constant bacteria from their face on the previous occasion they wore them. Many will change their masks after every occasion they wear them .
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she hoped shoppers who refuse to wear masks would be “shamed” into compliance.
The Government said the responsibility for wearing a face covering “sits with individuals”, adding: “Businesses are encouraged to take reasonable steps to encourage customers to follow the law, including through signs and providing other information in store.”
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