Union welcomes face covering rule

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has welcomed the long overdue government decision to enforce the wearing of face coverings in shops in England. The union has asked the government to publish detailed guidance, and also issued a reminder that masks do not replace good hygiene and social distancing.

Its general secretary, Paddy Lillis, said: “It is right to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory in shops, but we must recognise that expert advice says it is an additional protection on top of existing safety measures.

“Usdaw is urging employers to stay with the established two-metre social distancing, using screens at tills and limiting the number of shoppers in store at any one time. Employers must also be aware that staff will need regular breaks when they can take their face covering off and have the opportunity to replace it. Staff on tills who are behind screens should not be required to wear a face covering.

“We welcome the indication that shop workers will not be expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings. They are already dealing with more abuse than normal and this could be another flashpoint.”

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2020/Jul/Usdaw-welcomes-compulsory-wearing-of-face-covering