FACE MASK ADVICE

COVID-19 SPECIAL - 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 ITCOMES TO THE MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN-STORE.

REQUIREMENTS

From 24th July 2020 customers in England will be required to wear a face mask when inside retail premises

This follows a previous decision by the Scottish Government to introduce the wearing of face masks in store

Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to require the wearing of face masks in retail premises.

ENFORCEMENT

It is not the responsibility of retailers to enforce the wearing of face masks; that falls to the police

Retailers are entitled to require the wearing of face masks in their store and to bar entry to those not complying

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.

EXEMPTIONS

In England the following are exempt from the requirement to wear a face mask on public transport or in a retail premises:

Young children under the age of 11

Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress

If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate

To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others

To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you

To eat or drink, but only if you need to

To take medication

If a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification

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.

IN SCOTLAND THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT, WITH EXEMPTIONS INCLUDING:

Children under five years of age

Police constables or workers such as paramedics acting in the course of their duty

Staff such as drivers or checkout assistants who are physically separated, by means of, for example, screens, from passengers or customers

Shop workers if they maintain a two-metre distance from customers or members of the public.

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE A REASONABLE EXCUSE NOT TO WEAR A FACE COVERING IF, FOR EXAMPLE:

The person has a health condition or you are disabled and a face covering would be inappropriate because it would cause difficulty, pain or severe distress or anxiety or because you cannot apply a covering and wear it in the proper manner safely and consistently. Individual discretion should be applied in considering the use of face coverings for other children including, for example, children with breathing difficulties and disabled children who would struggle to wear a face covering

The person needs to eat or drink

The person is taking medication

The person is communicating with someone else who relies on lip reading

A relevant person, such as a police officer, asks you to remove your face covering.

STAFF AND EMPLOYERS RESPONSIBILITY

There is no requirement in these regulations for retail staff to wear a face mask

Employers are required to carry out a risk assessment and this should be updated to reflect changes to social distancing rules, any changes in the operation of the stores and the requirement for customers to wear masks

It may defuse any potential issues with customers who are unhappy being forced to wear a mask if staff members are also wearing masks.

BEST PRACTICE

The NFRN recommends that members take the following steps:

Display a reminder poster at or near the entrance to your store

In order to diffuse any possible tensions with customers, staff wear face masks when not behind protective screens

Always be careful not to escalate any situations. If a customer is not wearing a mask, politely find out if they have an exemption before asking them to wear one. Keep a list of the exemptions handy and ensure your staff are aware of these

If your store operates a no mask, no entry policy, make sure this is clearly displayed at the door

Ensure that your risk assessment is up to date

Ensure that you have sufficient supplies of masks and hand sanitiser

Regularly check for updates on the NFRN website.