Policing minister Kit Malthouse has said that all supermarkets should follow in Morrison's’ footsteps to enforce the wearing of face masks in stores as part of the coronavirus regulations.
When asked why he thought supermarkets have not done it so far, he told Times Radio: “I think that, understandably, following the November lockdown there was an element of release and therefore the person at the door, the sanitation station, the traffic light system, the queues outside obviously receded a bit.
“What we hope now, and I know all of them will, that they’ll see their responsibility and start to put those things back in place.”
When asked whether police should intervene, he said some officers have issued fines in retail settings, adding: “What we hope is the vast majority of people, or everybody, will be encouraged to do so by the shop owner.”
Morrisons yesterday confirmed customers who refuse to wear a mask without a medical exemption will be asked to leave their stores.
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”.
Sainsbury's said it was also going to enforce wearing of masks in its stores in order to keep "everyone safe."
The supermarket chain is also asking customers to shop alone, rather than in larger groups.
Trained security guards will challenge anyone not complying with the rules, Sainsbury's said.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said the firm has written to customers to advise them of the changes, which he said followed trials last weekend.
He said: "I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.
"The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups."
