Union urges government to roll back on removing mask mandate

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Usdaw has urged the government to roll back on removing the mask mandate in stores as some grocers have warned of rising staff absenteeism due to coronavirus.

Queue-of-people-outside-shop-wearing-masks

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has written to business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng calling on him to reverse plans to end compulsory face coverings and social distancing in shops from July 19.

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing in shops are “an important measure to help protect workers” as Covid-19 cases in the UK skyrocket.

“The government should not be weakening safety measures in shops at the same time as opening up other venues,” said Lillis.

“There is no reason why requirements to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing in busy public areas like shops cannot continue.

“Retailers may be able to attempt to enforce their own face-covering policies, but in the absence of a legal requirement, as has already been highlighted by the British Retail Consortium, this is likely to result in further significant increases in abuse, threats and violence towards retail workers.

“Wearing a face covering in crowded public areas like shops is not merely a personal choice; it is an important measure to help protect workers who have no option but to interact with large numbers of people as a part of their job.

“We would welcome the opportunity to work with the government and employers, as we did during the first lockdown, to develop comprehensive guidance for retail.

“Many retail workers are at a greater risk of catching the virus and bringing it home to their families. Supermarket workers and delivery drivers have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country supplied with essentials. These key workers must be valued, respected and protected.”

The letter comes after health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that all coronavirus restrictions would be lifted on July 19, despite case numbers surging around the country.

Retailers have also raised issues around staff being forced to self-isolate through exposure to infected people through the NHS Test and Trace app.

While mandatory face masks and social distancing rules will end on July 19, the government has said that people who test positive and those alerted about exposures on the app will have to follow self-isolation guidance for the best part of another month.

Iceland managing director Richard Walker said: “Our Covid-related absences are growing exponentially. Within a week or two, they’ll be the highest ever. Covid rules end July 19. Self-isolation rules are not eased until August 16. This will be a shitshow for business.”

Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said that the grocer had also experienced an uptick in staff being forced off work to self-isolate.

However, other grocers have played down fears about a rise in staff self-isolating, with a source close to one supermarket chain expressing surprise at Walker’s comments.