Supermarket giant Morrisons has confirmed customers who refuse to wear a mask without a medical exemption will be told to leave stores.
Anybody entering the store without a mask will need medical exemption for doing so.
Chief executive David Potts said: "Those who are offered a face covering and decline to wear one won’t be allowed to shop at Morrisons unless they are medically exempt. Our store colleagues are working hard to feed you and your family, please be kind."
The decision comes after a shopworkers’ union reported being “inundated” with complaints from its members, who say they are “deeply concerned” for their safety as members of the public flout in-store Covid measures.
Usdaw urged supermarkets and food retailers to revert to “stringent” restrictions and said that staff – who are classed as key workers – must be “valued, respected and protected”.
Chains such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s said safety remains their “highest priority” and that customers were given regular reminders to follow the rules.
It comes as vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi voiced his concerns that members of the public were not complying with measures put in place by supermarkets, amid suggestions the restrictions may need to be toughened.
“I am worried about supermarkets and people actually wearing masks and following the one-way system and making sure when it’s at capacity they wait outside the supermarket,” he said.
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Retail staff are working with the public every day and not only suffer increased abuse, but are deeply worried about catching Covid-19.
“Where safety measures are agreed, retailers need to make sure that they are being followed consistently, in every store.
“We are also very concerned by reports that too many customers are not following necessary safety measures like social distancing, wearing a face covering and only shopping for essential items.
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