Three UK supermarkets to continue enforcing face mask policies in-store

Three of the UK’s leading supermarkets will continue to enforce their face mask policies despite all Plan B restrictions coming to an end today.

Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose – which also operates retailer John Lewis – will ask their customers to continue wearing masks in their stores, even though they are no longer mandatory.

Sainsbury’s said in a statement: “Safety remains our highest priority. We’re asking our customers and colleagues in England to continue to wear a face covering in our stores if they are able to.”

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A spokeswoman for John Lewis and Partners said: “We’ll be suggesting people wear masks in our stores, although it will be down to individuals to make a personal choice.”

According to The Mirror, Paddy Lillis, the head of shop workers’ union Usdaw, voiced his support for the supermarkets’ decision, saying it was ‘deeply disappointing that the government has ploughed on with ending mandatory face coverings in shops’ and that many retailers would ‘keep Covid safety measures in stores’.

Manchester City Council has also asked people to continue wearing masks in public spaces and on public transport in what they have described as a ‘pragmatic approach’.

Students at schools and universities are also been asked to continue wearing face coverings in corridors until the February half term.

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From today, Thursday January 27th, all Plan B Covid restrictions have been lifted. This means that mandatory Covid passes will no longer be needed and people will not be asked to work from home where possible.

Face masks are also no longer mandatory, though various shops and public spaces have encouraged people to continue wearing them.