Coronavirus: Shop workers fear abuse over mask rules as government ‘considers measure for all workplaces’

'There could be trouble, because some customers mind', shop worker warns

Shop workers fear customers may lash out at them if they are made to enforce the government’s rules on mask wearing in retail environments – amid reports the measure could be rolled out in all workplaces to stem the spread of the virus.

The government will make wearing a face covering inside shops and supermarkets mandatory across England on 24 July amid concerns a post-lockdown return to public indoor environments could lead to a second spike in coronavirus infections.

However those working in the sector have warned they fear abuse at the hands of shoppers if they are forced to impose the rule.

Rizwan Ahmed, a shop assistant at a small supermarket in Maida Vale, London, told the PA news agency that having to enforce the new law will create a “difficult situation” for shop assistants, adding: “There could be trouble, because some customers mind.”

“I’ve been telling everyone (to wear masks), but people don’t care now.”, he said. “Some people wear them, some don’t. Say we have 100 people pass through the shop, about 10 will be wearing a mask.”

Holly, a 34-year-old supermarket assistant from Solihull, added that police do not have time to deal with shoplifters, let alone people failing to wear a mask who risk a £100 fine.

“We have had people become very irate when we have had to limit purchases and remind them about the one-way system” she said. “So yes, I do think myself and the colleagues will get more abuse from members of the public. Especially our regulars who probably think we will let them off.”

It comes amid reports the government could go further with rules on mask wearing – following on from the lead offered by French president Emmanuel Macron who announced mask wearing would be mandatory in all enclosed spaces in the coming weeks.

According to the latest UK guidance, the public “should wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet”.

However, while the advice is not backed up by punitive measures, officials are understood to be talking to key stakeholders and industry representatives about introducing mandatory mask wearing in all workplaces – according to The Daily Telegraph.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said she supports the measure in shops – but warned that retailers must not be responsible for enforcing it.

She said: “With hundreds of incidents of violence and abuse directed at retail staff every day, we welcome the announcement that enforcement will be left to the authorities, rather than potentially putting hardworking retail colleagues in harm’s way.”

Trade union Usdaw added the government’s announcement of the policy “leaves many questions unanswered”, and agreed enforcing the rule could become a “flashpoint” for abuse.

Additional reporting by PA