Minister Simon Harris has urged people "not to be a jerk" and follow the new face mask rules in shops that began today.
As of midnight, people are required by law to wear a mask or face a hefty fine or even a jail sentence.
The former Health Minister tweeted this afternoon that he had met a "very upset" supermarket worker who had been dealing with a customer not wearing a mask.
Mr Harris tweeted: "Just back from a supermarket where I met a very upset staff member who had politely reminded a shopper of the need to wear a face mask.
"A message which was not well received. Our supermarket staff have been doing trojan work throughout the pandemic. Don’t be a jerk, wear the mask."
This evening, Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health, reminded people to follow the face covering rules.
Mrs Kenna said: “From today, you are asked to wear face coverings in a variety of indoor commercial settings such as shops, supermarkets, libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres.
"Remember to clean your hands before you put on your face covering, and hold it by the ear loops. Ensure it sits snugly over your nose and mouth. When you remove it, place it in a Ziploc bag and then when you get home, put it in a 60 degree wash. Try to avoid touching the front of your face covering when wearing it.
“Every small, daily action we take, such as wearing a face covering in the shop, is an act of solidarity with healthcare workers who have been at the frontline of this public health crisis since its outset.”
