The chief executive of Aldi has urged shoppers to wear face masks in stores after the UK recorded another 101 cases of the Omicron variant in 24 hours.
His warning to shoppers comes as cases hit 437 in the UK while rocketing inflation has pushed the cost of a typical Christmas turkey dinner up by 3.4% in a year.
Kantar said the average cost of a Christmas meal for four, with a frozen turkey and all the trimmings, is now £27.48.
Chief executive Giles Hurley said: “We’ve brought on board 1,500 new colleagues for the festive period.
“In line with the latest Government guidelines, we are asking all customers to wear a face covering when shopping with us in store, unless they are exempt for medical reasons. Our colleagues will continue to wear face coverings too.”
He said protective screens at checkouts, sanitisation stations and clear signage will also be in place, urging customers to shop safely.
Extended trading hours will also be place over the festive period, although stores will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Giles also urged those who are able to, to consider a food donation at their local store.
Face masks became mandatory again in England on November 30 - and supermarkets are no exception.
The coverings were reintroduced in stores and on public transport to help tackle the rise of the Omicron Covid variant by protecting staff and shoppers alike.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said he hoped the tougher rules on face coverings in England would be "temporary" as ministers reimpose some measures amid fears the new strain could evade existing vaccines.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: "We are helping retailers to prepare for the change in face covering rules, but they are extremely concerned about abuse against their staff from customers who don't want to wear a face covering in a shop.
"We will continue to urge stores to communicate the rules, but not to challenge those who refuse to abide by the rules."
All Aldi customers will be required to wear a mask when visiting stores across the UK unless they are medically exempt. Masks also remain compulsory in Aldi’s Scottish and Welsh stores.
Asda said it is issuing free face masks to any customer who requires one.
The boss of supermarket Iceland has said the firm''s staff won't force shoppers to put on face masks.
Iceland managing director Richard Walker said he was "supportive of the reintroduction of the 'masks in shops' rule" but that Iceland workers "can’t be expected to police those who refuse".
A Lidl spokesperson said: "For your background, we can confirm that we will continue to follow government guidance regarding the wearing of face coverings."
Morrison said: "We will be following all updated government guidelines to keep our customers and colleagues safe."
Sainsbury’s said it continues to monitor government guidance.
A Tesco spokesperson added: "From Tuesday 30th November, it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering in our stores unless exempt in line with government guidance.”
