The ACS – Association of Convenience Stores – has obtained clarification from the government regarding the wearing of face coverings in retail settings.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has provided additional details today (September 24) to confirm that face coverings must be worn by staff as well as customers in shops, but with some key exemptions.
These include where businesses have taken steps in line with HSE guidance for covid-secure workplaces to create a physical barrier between workers and members of the public. In this instance staff behind the barrier will not be required to wear a face covering.
Other exemptions include where staff are not in a customer-facing environment, such as a stock room, if they have a hidden disability or another health condition, or if they are with someone who relies on lip reading to communicate with them.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome the additional clarification from Government on the wearing of face coverings by colleagues in stores. Thousands of retailers have already invested in their stores through the installations of Perspex screens and other PPE for colleagues, so it’s welcome that these mitigating measures are being recognised by the Government.”
