COVID-19 SPECIAL
FASK MASK ADVICE NFRN
FACE MASKS: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THE NFRN HAS PRODUCED A HANDY RETAILER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO THE MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN-STORE.
REQUIREMENTS
EXEMPTIONS
Q From 24th July 2020 customers in England will be required to wear a face mask when inside retail premises Q This follows a previous decision by the Scottish Government to introduce the wearing of face masks in store Q Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to require the wearing of face masks in retail premises.
In England the following are exempt from the requirement to wear a face mask on public transport or in a retail premises: Q Young children under the age of 11 Q Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability Q If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress Q If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate Q To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others Q To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you Q To eat or drink, but only if you need to Q To take medication Q If a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering Q If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification Q If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication.
ENFORCEMENT Q It is not the responsibility of retailers to enforce the wearing of face masks; that falls to the police Q Retailers are entitled to require the wearing of face masks in their store and to bar entry to those not complying Q Failure to wear a mask can lead to a £100 fine (reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days) in England, or a £60 fine in Scotland. Some police forces are resisting their role to enforce this and the political engagement team at NFRN would be interested in any example of where the police refused to act or where they did intervene and issued a warning or a fine. You can email them at connect@nfrn.org.uk.
IN SCOTLAND THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT, WITH EXEMPTIONS INCLUDING: Q Children under five years of age Q Police constables or workers such as paramedics acting in the course of their duty
10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 14 / WEDNESDAY 22ND JULY 2020
