Darell Albiston asked 6 days ago
Brawls broke out in supermarket aisles across England today as shoppers confronted other customers for not wearing masks, while staff at a McDonald’s kicked out diners for not covering their faces.
Senior police figures urged retailers to enforce the new laws forcing customers to wear face masks in all shops, stations, banks and post offices, but there was confusion across the country with different businesses having different policies on coverings.
Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-Op and Costa Coffee are among the firms saying they would not police the coronavirus rules, which also require people to cover their faces in all transport hubs, shopping centres and petrol stations.
McDonald’s, on the other hand, are enforcing the rules, with customers in a Chelmsford, Essex branch ordered to leave for not wearing a mask.
Teenagers are turned away from McDonald’s in Aintree, Liverpool, for not wearing face masks as new regulations come into force today
One McDonald’s customer was denied entry to their restaurant in Aintree, Liverpool, today because she did not have a face covering
After being turned away, the woman returned from her car with a disposable face mask and entered the McDonald’s in Aintree
The fast food giant said takeaway customers will need to wear the masks but those who eat in the restaurant will not.
Meanwhile, customers reported seeing fights break out in supermarkets, with masked shoppers confronting those not wearing a covering.
One person wrote: ’10:05am I entered Sainsbury’s, 10:08am there’s a fight in the second isle because someone hasn’t got a mask on and the lady with her kid was panicking and shouting at the anti masker ….. end result?
‘Lady picks up a tub of double cream and throws it in their face.’
Under the rules, even customers entering banks now must don a mask, but young children and people with medical conditions affected by a mask are exempt. Police are now urging shops to refuse entry to people not wearing face coverings.
John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: ‘I would urge retail outlets to play their part in making the rules crystal clear – if you are not wearing a face covering then you are not coming in. Officers will be there to help stores if needed – but only as a last resort, as we simply do not have the resources.’
Speaking about those who might have exemptions, Mr Apter added: ‘If you’re out shopping today and you see somebody not wearing a face covering it may be because they have a hidden disability. Don’t jump to conclusions, don’t have a go at them. This is new for us all, it’s about keeping each other safe. Please be nice!’
It comes as:
The new guidance states face coverings will be required in takeaway sandwich shops like Pret a Manger;
Care minister Helen Whately defended the short notice regarding the issuing of guidance just yesterday;
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the move was essential for preventing a second wave of coronavirus;
The Government completed a U-turn after initially saying masks were ineffective in stopping it spreading;
Entertainment venues, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, cinemas and museums will all be exempt;
Union leaders have also voiced fears that the new rules on face coverings could put workers’ safety at risk.
McDonald’s are enforcing the rules, with customers in a Chelmsford, Essex branch ordered to leave for not wearing a mask. Pictured is a Manchester McDonald’s
A shopper leaves Tesco on Goodge Street in Central London not wearing a face mask despite the new rules from today. Young children and people with medical conditions affected by a mask are exempt from the regulations
People leave a B&M store in Slough (left) and SK선불인터넷 a Londis petrol station shop in Chirton, North Tyneside (right), without masks
Some people wear masks while others do not at a Pret a Manger outlet in London this morning after the new rules were introduced. The new guidance states face coverings will be required in takeaway sandwich shops like Pret
Some shoppers wear masks while others do not when leaving a Tesco store on Goodge Street in London this morning
Martin Mac tweeted this picture of two people wearing face masks at Williams & Co Trade Only Plumbing and Heating Supplies in Basingstoke, Hampshire, this morning
Shoppers visit the Tesco Extra store in Shieldfield, Newcastle, this morning, buying groceries without wearing a face mask
One woman wears a face mask at a Lidl in Camden Town, while another goes without as the two pass each other in the store
Shoppers seen in supermarkets in Camden Town without face masks after becoming compulsory today in all shops
Contrast: A woman in Selfridges on Oxford Street, London wears a face mask (left), while a shopper in Pret a Manger in Camden Town goes without (right)
A shopper is handed a protective mask on entering a supermarket in Ealing on the day face coverings became mandatory in shops in the UK
Passengers at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport wearing face masks this afternoon following the change in law making them mandatory in transport hubs
Face coverings will have to be worn in shops, supermarkets and shopping centres as well as train stations and airports under new rules set to apply across England from today
Airline staff wearing face masks at Heathrow Airport this afternoon while some passengers were not. Failure to comply with the rules could result in a £100 fine although the police have suggested that they will not be aggressively enforcing the policy
There was confusion within hours of the new rules coming into effect, with shopper Alan Gregg claiming he was at a Tesco store in Balby, South Yorkshire, at 6am for shopping this morning, ‘and the lady at the door said to me face masks are not compulsory in this store’. Tesco has been contacted for comment.