3 minute read
Covid-19
by 55 North
COVER STORY: IN-STORE MASKS
Masking a problem?
THE LOCAL RETAILING SECTOR FACES A FRESH SET OF CHALLENGES AS THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR CUSTOMERS TO WEAR MASKS IN-STORE IS SET TO END ACROSS THE UK
While the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions across the UK over coming weeks is being greeted with relief from most quarters, the new rules are set to introduce fresh challenges for local retailers. Among the most concerning is the forthcoming ending of legal requirements for customers to wear face masks in-store.
The rules will change at different dates across the UK but all legal requirements to wear face masks could be dropped in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by the end of August. The Scottish Government has, however, suggested that there “will still be some ongoing need for face coverings, for example on public transport and in retail”.
There are clear indications that many local retailers intend to keep most if not all Covid protection measures in place in-store, beyond the dates when restrictions will be legally released or removed, for the clear and obvious benefit of both their staff and of customers who remain concerned.
In England, the need to wear masks ends in just a couple of weeks’ time on 19 July, prompting the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to demand greater clarity and support from Westminster.
ACS has been attending meetings and engaging with officials across government, and says its members need:
* A clear expectation about whether they can set policies on social distancing and face coverings, for the safety of their customers and colleagues
* High level support from government, making it clear that business policies should be respected and that abuse of shopworkers and others for implementing these policies will not be tolerated
* Clarity on whether the government sees adhering to social distancing and wearing face coverings in shops as ‘best practice’.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We are already hearing mixed messages from the Prime Minister, other cabinet members and advisors. If the public are being asked to act responsibly, specifically what are they being asked to do? Can operations ranging from transport networks to local shops set policies on social distancing and wearing face coverings, are the government asking people to respect those policies or to exercise their own judgement, and will the government support business in implementing these policies?
“Our members will be faced with a group of customers who are uneasy about the lack of restrictions, and a group who are eager to move on from social distancing. We cannot support everyone without government messaging that customers should respect business’s policies. The tensions in government messaging will play out not in the corridors of government departments but on trains and buses and in the aisles of shops.”
ACS is taking its plea for clarity and support to meetings with the Cabinet Office and other government departments this week. ACS will also be issuing new and existing resources to support retailers in their communications with customers.
Shopworkers trade union Usdaw has explicitly demanded that face masks continue to be mandatory for shoppers after the relaxation dates across the UK to protect shop workers.
“Retail staff are working with the public every day and are deeply worried about catching Covid-19,” said Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary. “This is not the right time to water down safety in stores and the government should not be removing the requirements of face coverings and distancing in busy public areas like shops.
“To speak about the wearing of face coverings in these settings in terms of personal responsibility ignores the reality that public-facing workers have no option but to interact with large numbers of people as a part of their job. These key workers must be valued, respected and protected.”
