Harrogate shoppers face being challenged if not wearing a facemask

As speculation grows that the Government may toughen up the current lockdown, Harrogate shoppers at Sainsburys have been urged to follow the rules or be challenged.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

As Health Secretary Matt Hancock warns that tighter lockdown measures cannot be ruled out and the Government's policing minister confirms a pledge by police that rule-breakers are "increasingly likely" to be fined, Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts has issued an update to the store's shoppers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is urging shoppers to wear a mask or visor and shop alone in all Sainsbury's stores.

The boss of Sainsbury's is urging shoppers to wear a mask or visor and shop alone in all its stores.The boss of Sainsbury's is urging shoppers to wear a mask or visor and shop alone in all its stores.
The boss of Sainsbury's is urging shoppers to wear a mask or visor and shop alone in all its stores.

Mr Roberts' statement said: "I have spent a lot of time in our stores over the past few days and I need to ask for your help with two key issues to keep you and all my colleagues safe.

"When shopping in our stores, you must wear a mask or visor unless you have a medical exemption. And you should also shop on your own. Thank you for your support.

"Security guards will support our colleagues at the front of store and will challenge customers who are not wearing masks or who are shopping in groups.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I know you’ll understand and support what we are trying to do.

"We have also significantly reduced the number of customers allowed in our stores at any one time to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times.

"Together, these steps will go a long way to keep everyone safe, whether you are shopping or working with us."

Sainsbury's is not the only major food store to get tougher on the rules this week as infection rates soar.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Morrisons has also said it will bar customers who refuse to wear face coverings from its shops.

Morrisons' chief executive, David Potts, said: "Those who are offered a face covering and decline to wear one won't be allowed to shop at Morrisons unless they are medically exempt."

But there is still confusion over whether shop staff or, even, the police will actually enforce the new policies.

Both the police and shops staff unions oppose their members enforcing mask-wearing in supermarkets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.