SHOPPERS have been told by the Government they are expected to continue wearing masks from Monday.
From July 19 there will no longer be a law on wearing masks but many retail bosses are asking shoppers to still do so.
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All lockdown restrictions are due to end after the weekend but the new covid policy says the Government “expects and recommends” masks to be worn by workers and customers.
The advice is for situations especially in crowded, enclosed spaces as the work from home order ends in a few days time.
Masks are to remain mandatory in Scotland and Wales though.
Shoppers in England will have to wear masks if the store still requires it and off the back of the latest policy many retailers are recommending such.
Sainsbury’s said it would encourage customers to continue wearing masks in its supermarkets, with the workplace guidance on masks stating it does not just apply to staff.
The supermarket said: “Face coverings are no longer required by law,”
“However, the Government expects and recommends that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces.”
Unions and employers have criticised the guidance for Step 4 of the Prime Minister’s plan to end the lockdown, with the TUC calling it a “recipe for chaos and rising infections”.
Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop union Usdaw, said: “Protection for retail workers through wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing in busy public areas like shops should be backed up by the law.”
The guidance also applies to offices, factories, construction sites and close contact services such as hairdressers.
Table service is recommended to continue in bars too, while pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are encouraged to check vaccine and testing status on entry.
Plus metro mayors have also encouraged the use of masks on their transport networks to continue.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “We remain of the view that the best solution is for the Government to maintain a requirement of face coverings on all modes of public transport and we call on them, even at this stage, to return to that position.”
It comes as health agency figures showed two-thirds of adults in the UK are estimated to have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine already.
Dr Roger Barker, policy director at the Institute of Directors, said bosses are “understandably confused” as he criticised “a series of mixed messages and patchwork requirements”.
He said: “Return to work or continue to stay at home. Throw away your masks or continue to wear them. Today’s long-awaited guidance from Government has done little to dispel that confusion.”
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