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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Fahey

Sainsbury's and John Lewis ask shoppers to keep wearing face masks despite rule change

Leading supermarkets will ask staff and customers to continue wearing face masks after plan B measures end tomorrow.

Sainsbury's, John Lewis and Waitrose will remind shoppers to wear a covering in store despite the Government scrapping the rule as a legal requirement from Thursday.

However, Morrisons has confirmed they will welcome maskless shoppers, BBC reports.

The retailers said visitors won't be forced to wear masks, but they will be encouraged in order to keep staff and other people safe.

Downing Street rolled out Plan B at the start of December to battle the surge of Omicron cases.

The measures are being lifted from tomorrow because the mutation has already peaked, the government has said.

Though no longer a legal issue, the Government is still advising Brits to wear a mask in enclosed or crowded spaces, and when meeting strangers.

Sainsbury's and Waitrose will also be urging customers to wear coverings (Getty Images)

Retail worker trade union USDAW is also urging shoppers to "observe Covid safety measures".

Speaking to the broadcaster, Sainsbury's said safety was its "highest priority".

The supermarket plans to put up posters and remind customers over the tannoy about their guidance.

In a statement, they said: "In Scotland and Wales face coverings remain mandatory for those who can wear them in our stores, in line with the latest government restrictions.

Electronics store Currys will only ask staff to wear masks (AFP via Getty Images)

"We continue to have a range of safety measures in all of our stores, including screens and sanitising stations."

Department store John Lewis, which owns Waitrose, will be "suggesting people wear masks" but say it will be "down to individuals to make a personal choice".

Meanwhile, electronics store Currys will ask staff to wear masks in-store and while delivering products. But customers will not be expected to do so.

The stores say they won't force customers, but they will encourage the measure (AFP via Getty Images)

"We will continue to assess our approach based on infection rates and colleague feedback," the company said.

Usdaw, which represents 360,000 retail workers, said the Government's move to end the measure was "deeply disappointing" while infections rates "remain high".

General secretary Paddy Lillis said: "We hope all retailers will continue to put staff and customer safety first.

"Wearing a face covering is an important measure to help protect workers who have no option but to interact with the public."

Rail operators also plan to ask travellers to adhere to mask-wearing rules on their services.

Plan B will end in the UK tomorrow (AFP via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson confirmed all Plan B measures will end tomorrow.

This means that mandatory mask-wearing on public transport and in shops, work-from-home guidance and the need for Covid passes will all be axed, despite rates of Omicron infection still surging across the country.

UK will revert to Plan A with a focus on vaccine rollout, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid warning last Wednesday that it's "not the end of the road" even if the number of cases are falling.

This means that the end of Plan B does not mean the end of restrictions altogether.

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