Covid: Supermarket staff ‘deeply concerned’ about virus rule-breakers

Union ‘inundated’ with complaints from members

A shop worker wearing a protective face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus serves customers at an Asda supermarket in London in December  (AFP via Getty Images)

Supermarket staff are "deeply concerned" about Covid rule-breakers putting their health at risk, a union has said.

Usdaw said it had been "inundated" with complaints by members who say customers are “blatantly” flouting restrictions.

“We are very concerned by reports that too many customers are not following necessary safety measures like social distancing and wearing a face mask,” said Paddy Lillis, the union’s general secretary.

"It is going to take some time to roll out the vaccine and we cannot afford to be complacent in the meantime, particularly with a new strain sweeping the nation."

He added: "These key workers must be valued, respected and protected."

The government today voiced concern that people had not been following the rules while shopping.

“We are concerned that, for example, in supermarkets, we need to make sure people actually wear masks and follow the one-way system, and when they are at capacity to operate safely, people wait outside,” vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News.

Mr Zahawi, however, stopped short of saying that it was the responsibility of supermarkets to enforce the rules.

“Our plea is to everybody, each and every one of us," he added.

"These rules are not boundaries to be pushed against. These rules are there to try and make sure we bring this virus under control."

The British Retail Consortium said enforcing the wearing of masks in stores was down to the police, although retailers would do their bit to help.

“While enforcement of face coverings is the responsibility of the police, retailers continue to do what they can to encourage their use throughout stores,” Andrew Opie, the BRC’s director of food and sustainability said.

“Sadly, this has led to a sharp rise in incidents of violence and abuse against shop workers, which is why it is essential police support the work being done by retailers.”

Additional reporting by agencies