McDonald's staff have been forced to ask customers to leave because they weren't wearing face masks when picking up food to go.
The rules state that while you can eat in without a mask, people picking up takeaway food must wear one from today.
Pictures have now emerged of staff at a McDonald's outlet in Chelmsford speaking to bare faced customers at tables and turning others away when they have no mask on.
Under rules published just yesterday, you don't need to wear a mask at eat-in restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms, leisure centres, cinemas and theatres – as long as they have other protection measures in place.
But if you're simply buying food and drink to consume elsewhere, then you need to wear a mask or risk a £100 fine.
Will you be wearing a mask? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk with your views
A McDonald's spokesperson told The Sun : "In line with Government guidance in England takeaway customers are required to wear a face covering at all times while in our restaurants.
"Also in line with the guidance, dine-in customers can go directly to a table and order using the My McDonald’s App without a face covering, but should wear one if moving around the restaurant - for example using the self-order screens, ordering at the counter or if using the toilets."
In places such as McDonald’s - where people can both eat in and order take away - that has led to confusion.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said the latest regulations contradicted what the industry had previously been told and it was “very late in the day” for confirmation.
She added: “It’s really unhelpful to have that confusion because the single biggest thing we need now is to rebuild consumer confidence and that needs clear, unambiguous messaging.”
While McDonald's customers are being aparently turned away, other retailers are taking a less firm approach.
Costa Coffee said it would "not be challenging customers" who are not wearing a mask "since they may have a legitimate reason as to why they are unable to wear one".
Sainsbury's said while it is asking everyone to continue "playing their part" in helping to keep everyone safe in store by following the rules, "our colleagues will not be responsible for enforcing them".
You also don't need to wear a mask if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Children under the age of 11
- Not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
- To avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
- To avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
- To eat or drink, but only if you need to
- To take medication
- If a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:
- If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification
- If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication
