Tesco has said they are informing rather than enforcing face covering laws in their stores since mandatory rules started Monday.
A number of customers have asked the store how they are dealing with those without masks after spotting rule breakers during shop visits.
One such customer tweeted the supermarket chain: "At least five customers and two staff just now in the Express store on the Headford Road, Galway without masks and not a single thing said to anyone."
But Tesco has said they are reminding customers to wear masks at all times in stores where possible.
A spokesperson tweeted: "We require customers to wear masks in stores. Our role is not to enforce, but inform and remind customers that they are now obliged to wear face coverings in retail settings, unless they have reasonable excuse not to.
"Such reasonable excuses are set out by the Regulations. As the health and safety of our colleagues and customers is paramount to us, we are happy to this in store including signage and audio tannoy messages."
Under laws brought in on Monday, if you fail to comply you are liable to face a fine of up €2,500, up to six months imprisonment or even both.
These laws will be in place until October 5 at the earliest.
Rules are not only for the likes of Lidl and Tesco but also include shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, and museums.
Some other indoor settings are also included.
