Frome mandatory masks in shops : Early signs show compliance with most people just forgetting

By Susie Watkins

24th Jul 2020 | Local News

Shop ready - thank you to this Frome resident who made herself ready to enter a shop as masks became mandatory today (July 24).

When Nub News went out early to local shops it seemed most were complying with the new rules.

One major shop chain told us unofficially that they were also basing their staff advice on "encourage don't enforce."

Staff at the supermarket were also themselves wearing masks - even as- under the new rules - they do not need to, in order to make customers feel even more safe.

He told Nub News that of the couple of early shoppers who came into the supermarket without masks, both had forgotten to put them on, rather than deliberately choosing not to wear them.

One person who would speak on the record to Nub News was a war veteran who fought in the Faulklands and was said he was used to the feeling of mouth and nose coverings because he had been trained in using a respirator.

Jim McNicol said: " I came out in 1985. We didn't have to use them there in the Faulklands, thank God. But we used them at other times.

" Wearing a mask is just the way it is. I don't wear it all the time, I am just going from that shop to that shop so I kept it on. Normally walking about I don't wear one.

" But if you have got to you have got to. A lot of business have said that if someone comes in and is not wearing a mask they will not turn them away because they need the business."

Sainsbury's has announced that along with Costa Coffee, their staff will not challenge customers who enter their stores without masks.

On social media the HQ said "We won't be challenging customers without a mask when they enter or when they are in store since they may have a reason not to wear a mask."

Jim added to Nub News; " Anyone who does not have a reason not to wear a mask should wear one. Especially when they are being close in shops - things like that. I don't mind it at all."