John Lewis, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have joined a growing number of big-name retailers that will encourage staff and shoppers to keep wearing face masks after July 19.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis have joined Waterstones in encouraging shoppers and staff to continue to wear face masks in-store from next week. Other retailers taking similar measures include Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Primark.
From next week it will no longer be mandatory to wear face masks in stores in England under the government’s latest coronavirus guidelines. However, the government has said it “expects and recommends that people continue to wear a face-covering in crowded, enclosed, spaces”.
Sainsbury’s said it will remind shoppers in-store to wear a face-covering via announcements over its tannoy systems.
Tesco said it wanted to be “on the safe side” and would also limit shopper numbers in-store and continue to have separate entrances and exits at its shops as a result.
Asda and Morrisons both said they will encourage shoppers to wear masks and provide them for customers without them.
John Lewis said it would be encouraging staff to wear masks in its stores as well as sister grocery chain Waitrose, though a spokesperson for the retailer told The Guardian “the decision over whether to do so or not, when in our shops [in England], will be for each individual to take, based on their own judgement”.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said: “Our colleagues’ safety is vital and many of our colleagues would feel more comfortable if those who can wear face coverings continue to wear them.
“We’ve listened closely to our customers too and they are telling us the same. We’re asking everyone to be considerate and, while we understand wearing a face covering will now be a personal choice, we want to ensure we best support and protect each other in the weeks and months ahead.”
- Don’t miss the best of the week – sign up to receive the Editor’s Choice every Friday
1 Reader's comment