Fining will be 'very last resort' for those not wearing masks, North Yorkshire Police says

Supermarkets say they will NOT stop shoppers entering without a face mask

Wearing a mask will become mandatory in supermarkets and shops on July 24 and the Government has given the police service the power to fine people if they are not wearing one.

But North Yorkshire Police has said it will only do this as a very last resort and will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules.

Superintendent Charlotte Bloxham, silver commander for the response to Covid-19, said: “As with the policing of the previous coronavirus regulations, we know the vast majority of people will do as the Government have asked, as they know how important it is to protect themselves, their families and other people.

“Since the new regulations were announced, we have been liaising with local retailers to explain how we will police these new regulations.

“Demand on our service is almost back to normal pre-coronavirus levels, so we have to prioritise where we deploy our officers.

Confusion over face masks in Harrogate takeaways and whether they are compulsory now

“We will take a sensible approach to enforcement and hope people understand that we cannot attend every incident. To that end, please bear this in mind before reporting anyone for not wearing a face-covering.

“To help keep our phone lines free for urgent policing matters, we urge anyone who wishes to report a breach of the regulations, to do so via our online coronavirus reporting form which can be found on our website. Please only call if a situation escalates and your safety is threatened.

“Once again, we thank the people of York and North Yorkshire who have shown great support, understanding and compliance with the guidance and regulations so far. It is because of your sacrifices that we are now in a position where we can enjoy more freedom. Please stay safe, and help to limit the spread.”

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, added: “Controlling the spread of the virus, which it seems clear will be part of our lives for some time, is a vital part of trying to return to a more normal way of life. Wearing face masks in shops and supermarkets is one part of that and I support the new rules and North Yorkshire Police’s approach to them.

“Clearly, it is never going to be possible for officers to police every retailer or respond to every report of someone not wearing a mask. If you have concerns, please report them on the North Yorkshire Police website rather than calling 101.

“We need everyone to be sensible and to do their part to ensure we stop the spread of coronavirus, but also we need our emergency services to be focused on prioritising the most serious incidents to keep us safe and feeling safe. Achieving that balance in these challenging times is difficult and I would ask everyone to use their common sense and be patient as we all get used to this changed world.”

Retailers can refuse entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.

Return of Harrogate Hospital parking charges would be 'kick in the teeth' for NHS staff

There are some exemptions to this latest regulation, a full list can be found on the Gov.uk website.

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.

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.

Thank you.