Shoppers in England will no longer have to wear face masks from Thursday - but supermarkets will still be encouraging customers to wear them.
Plan B measures, including the requirement to wear face coverings in indoor settings like shops, end on January 26. From Thursday, January 27, it will be up to individuals to decide if they wish to wear a mask or not, as was the case in 2021 before the measures were announced in November due to the Omicron threat.
Businesses can set their own rules - you will likely see posters on walls in some saying they require customers to still wear masks - but supermarkets that have confirmed their policies say they will be following Government guidance, meaning shoppers will be encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering.
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The six major supermarket chains let customers make their own choice after restrictions were lifted in England last year, before being brought back under Plan B.
Will I have to wear a mask in supermarkets after Plan B?
Plan B will no longer apply from Thursday, which means businesses in England are free to set their own policy on wearing masks.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said retailers, in general, will be asking customers to "be considerate to those around them when choosing whether to wear a face covering and to respect the decision of other customers".
The laws are different in Wales and Scotland, where required mask wearing will continue.
Aldi
Supermarket chain Aldi has not yet confirmed what its policy will be on masks. It is most likely they will follow the advice of the British Retail Consortium, and encourage shoppers to make a considered choice on wearing face masks and when, but it won't force customers to wear them.
The last time mask laws were removed, in July 2021, Aldi switched to encouraging customers to continue wearing masks, but left the choice up to them.
Asda
Asda hasn't confirmed exactly what its policy will be, but back in July 2021 it followed Government advice and encouraged customers to wear masks, but left the choice up to them.
It is likely Asda will do the same when Plan B ends.
Lidl
When ChronicleLive contacted Lidl, a spokesperson directed us to the advice from the British Retail Consortium, which asks customers to consider continuing to wear masks. It means Lidl will leave the choice up to customers.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "The Government’s decision to remove Plan B restrictions, including wearing face coverings in a retail setting will enable shopping to return to more normal experience for customers, employees and businesses. Retailers ask customers to be considerate to those around them when choosing whether to wear a face covering and to respect the decision of other customers."
Morrisons
"We will be continuing to follow Government guidelines," a Morrisons spokesperson told ChronicleLive when asked if customers will have to wear masks from January 27.
That means shoppers in Morrisons will be encouraged to make a "considerate" decision on whether to wear a face covering or not, but they will not have to wear masks by law.
Sainsbury's
Masks will be optional but encouraged in Sainsbury's after Plan B. The supermarket says it will retain safety measures like screens and sanitising stations.
A spokesperson told ChronicleLive: "Safety remains our highest priority. From Thursday, we’re asking our customers and colleagues in England to continue to wear a face covering in our stores if they are able to.
"In Scotland and Wales face coverings remain mandatory for those who can wear them in our stores, in line with the latest Government restrictions.
"We continue to have a range of safety measures in all of our stores, including screens and sanitising stations."
Tesco
It looks likely Tesco will follow its rivals and introduce a voluntary mask policy, but customers who can will be encouraged to wear a face covering.
Tesco has yet to confirm its policy, but that's what it did the last time a mandatory mask law was withdrawn in July last year.
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