A social media user posed an interesting question that many others may have asked themselves while doing their weekly shop: why a member of Lidl staff wasn't wearing a mask while working?
Paulo Graham took to Twitter to ask that very question after noticing that those on cash registers don’t have masks on. He said: “What's up with @lidl_ireland workers not wearing masks at the tills? One person with Covid-19 could intersect everyone that has passed by their line.”
The answer, as it turns out, is pretty straightforward.
A representative from Lidl has said that according to Government guidelines, staff who are posted behind Perspex screens are not required to wear masks.
“Hi Paulo, if the cashier was behind a Perspex screen then under the guidelines from government they are not required to wear one,” the supermarket giant said on social media channels.
In August 2020, measures implemented by the Irish government to make face masks compulsory in grocery stores and other public spaces came into effect.
Face coverings are mandatory for customers in the following places:
● Shops, including pharmacies
● Shopping centres
● Libraries
● Cinemas and cinema complexes
● Theatres
● Concert halls
● Bingo halls
● Museums
● Nail salons
● Hair salons and barbers
● Tattoo and piercing parlours
● Travel agents and tour operators
● Laundries and dry cleaners
● Bookmakers
Under Level 5 restrictions, which will be in place until at least 31 January 2021, most retail outlets bar those that are absolutely essential (such as pharmacies and supermarkets) must remain closed.
Failing to wear a face covering in the above indicated places without a ‘reasonable’ excuse can incur a fixed-penalty on-the-spot fine of €80.
Failure to pay the fine within 28 days can lead to a court prosecution. This can result in:
● A fine of up to €1,000
● Up to 1 months imprisonment
● Or: both a fine and imprisonment
