Sainsbury's follows Morrisons on enforcing mask wearing in stores

Date published: 12 January 2021


Supermarket chain Sainsbury's will enforce mask wearing and shopping alone in its stores.

The company said it has written to customers to ask them to play their part in keeping everyone safe, and said it had also "significantly reduced" the number of customers allowed into stores at any one time.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: "I've spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

"The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.

"Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone.

The supermarket said it would put security guards at store entrances to enforce the policy.

The move follows a similar move by Morrisons yesterday

David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, 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."

He added: "Our store colleagues are working hard to feed you and your family, please be kind."

The policy changes come after the vaccines minister said there were concerns about behaviour in supermarkets.

Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News: “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.”

He urged people to comply with the rules when grocery shopping.


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