Why some Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Morrisons staff aren't wearing masks - despite new laws

Earlier this week, it became law for all retail staff to wear face coverings in store, or risk facing a hefty fine.

With the new law in place, most staff and shoppers have been wearing a face covering in supermarkets.

However, some staff have been spotted without face coverings - and some shoppers have been quick to comment.

Responding to one shopper complaint on Twitter, Tesco replied: "Hi, It is now mandatory for in-store colleagues to wear face coverings in England. There may be some colleagues, though, who are not wearing masks for medical or safety reasons. These reasons are set out by the government."

Yesterday, Asda said: "All Asda store colleagues in England, Wales and Scotland will now wear a covering while at work unless they have a medical exemption”.

The current government guidelines state that all retail staff must wear face coverings in store unless medically exempt.

However, in a U-turn made just 48 hours after the rules were initially put in place, it has now been announced that all staff behind perspex screens will not have to wear face coverings.

Asda to crack down on shoppers without face masks - everything you need to know

An Asda spokesperson said: "Colleagues behind a screen do not need to wear a mask. Some colleagues may still choose to wear a covering. Colleagues can do if they wish to and will have one provided for them."

The full list of people exempt from wearing face masks in shops as set out on the gov.uk website includes (but is not limited to):

• children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
• people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
• if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
• to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
• police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public