Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, has yesterday evening written to all customers to ask them to play their part in keeping everyone safe by always wearing a mask in-store and by shopping alone.
Following a successful trial over the weekend, Sainsbury’s will this week put trained security guards at the front of stores to challenge those who are not wearing a mask or who are shopping in groups.
Yesterday, Morrisons said it would also bar customers who refuse to wear face coverings from its shops amid rising coronavirus infections.
Morrisons’ chief executive, David Potts, said: “Those who are offered a face covering and decline to wear one won’t be allowed to shop at Morrisons unless they are medically exempt.
“Our store colleagues are working hard to feed you and your family, please be kind.”
Sainsbury’s has also significantly reduced the number of customers allowed into stores at any one time and will have more hosts at the front of stores supporting with cleaning and social distancing.
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, said, “I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.
“The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.
“Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone. Everyone’s care and consideration matters now more than ever.”
UPDATE: 14:52 12/01/21 Tesco added to list of shops enforcing mask wearing
Tesco has also announced that it will be enforcing face-mask wearing and lone shopping.
A statement said, “We won’t let anyone into stores not wearing a face covering, unless they are exempt – We are also asking customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children… we will have additional security to help manage this”.
UPDATE: 15:16 12/01/21 Asda added to list of shops enforcing mask wearing
An Asda spokesperson said: “If a customer has forgotten their face covering, we will continue to offer them one free of charge, but should a customer refuse to wear a covering without a valid medical reason and be in any way challenging to our colleagues about doing so, our security colleagues will refuse their entry.”
Main image credit: Anna Schvets