Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Primark and John Lewis have joined the ranks of Waterstones and Sainsbury’s, requiring customers and employees to continue to wear masks in stores in England after July 19, despite the relaxation of coronavirus safety restrictions .
Starting next week, the UK will no longer force people to wear masks in shops. However, the government stated that it “expects and recommends that people continue to wear masks in crowded, enclosed spaces.”
Companies must also conduct health and safety risk assessments, provide adequate ventilation and keep people with coronavirus symptoms away.
Many retailers continue to take at least some existing measures because they are responsible for the safety of their employees, and most customers say they feel safer to shop by wearing masks and other precautions.
A Tesco spokesperson said it requires customers and employees to “keep safe” and “encourage” them to wear masks. The company added that other measures, such as limiting the number of customers in stores and separate entrances and exits, will also continue.
Retailers said they will continue to use plexiglass screens at checkout counters, provide disinfectants and perform additional cleaning to help protect employees and shoppers.
Asda said it will also provide masks for those who wish to wear masks. Morrison said it will also “encourage” employees and customers to wear masks and maintain social distancing. It added that, like Asda, it will distribute face masks for free to those who need them.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been committed to ensuring that everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment. After listening to the opinions of our customers and colleagues, we will continue to adopt safety measures in our stores. Measures; these measures include limiting the number of people in the store at any time, installing protective screens at every checkout, hand sanitizer stations, and regular cleaning.”
John Lewis said that although it recommends wearing a mask, “in our [UK] store, the decision to wear a mask will be made by everyone based on their own judgment.”
The company said that since the beginning of the pandemic, it will retain screens at checkout counters, sinks and store cleaning measures.
Pizza Hut said it will restart the salad bar and lunch buffet because it uses loose rules to reintroduce popular self-service options that have been closed for more than a year.
The restaurant chain said that 5 million people ordered the buffet in 2019, and 18,000 mentions of its absence on its social media channels in the past year, so it expects the return of this service to be welcomed by customers.
Kathryn Austin, Pizza Hut’s chief marketing officer, said: “The safety of guests and team members remains paramount, so we ask all customers to act responsibly when dining with us.” The company could not say whether it would require it. Diners continue to wear masks when they are not at the table.
Post time: Jul-16-2021