A major supermarket has introduced “face mask marshals”.
The staff will stand at the doors of Asda branches to ensure customers have their faces covered before they enter.
It follows the announcement by the Government yesterday (Tuesday) that the fine for not wearing one will increase from £100 to £200.
Leeds Live reports how Asda has introduced 1,000 of the new Covid-19 marshals to enforce the tighter restrictions. In larger branches, the staff will also be wandering among the aisles as well.
(Image: Getty Images)
The chain said as well as enforcing the rules, the marshals will also help shoppers with safety questions and to reiterate Government guidelines.
If customers are not wearing masks in store, they will be told they can buy a pack of disposable masks and pay for them as part of their shopping trip.
Extra hand sanitiser stations will be provided in the busiest parts of the stores and protective coatings will be applied to all basket and trolley handles.
Asda is following its rival, Morrisons, in reinstating marshals on its entrance doors.
Also announced by the Government yesterday was a requirement for all shop workers to also wear a face covering. Previously, they were not required to do so.
Anthony Hemmerdinger, chief operating officer at Asda, said: “We know that safety remains a key priority for our customers and we will continue to do all we can to keep them and our colleagues safe in store, as we have since the start of the pandemic.
“These additional measures will make our stores an even safer place to shop and work during the coming months.”
Supermarkets were granted “essential” status during the lockdown in March, leading to long queues and strict social distancing, although over time the rules were relaxed and enforcement reduced.
