What's with Specsavers and masks ?

[LeftFootForward]

Semi lighthearted, but what is it with Specsavers and masks still ?
I was told over the phone earlier in the week that it's not compulsory to wear a mask in their shops anymore. I want some new specs and have been holding off until this was the case as I really want to see what my whole face looks like when trying on glasses.

I went to the shop today and wasn't allowed in unless I wore a mask. Do you have an exemption I was asked, we are NHS so you have to wear a mask. (They aren't NHS they're a private business that offers some NHS services but I digress).

Then box of masks and hand gel shoved my way. I was told I could pull the mask down to try on glasses, which begs the question why bother wearing one then ?

Didn't want to be that person arguing at the door so I left and went to another opticians.

AIBU to think they should have let me in without a mask ?

As far as I know, all medical places are following the same guidelines as the NHS re: mask wearing. Opticians, dentists, vets are all still asking for masks to be worn unless there’s a medical exemption.

It's a healthcare setting, so they still require masks. Same as dentists do until you're actually sat in the examination chair.

I agree with you. I think it depends on the branch too. My local branch didn’t make me wear one. Had my eye test after the mask mandate ended. They still had plastic screens between the chairs though.

When you're face-to-face with the optometrist, centimetres away from some one who is centimetres away from a dozen different people every day, wouldn't you want to protect yourself?

I have had several appointments at Specsavers over the course of the pandemic, and cannot fault the service I have received from them. Keeping masked as much as possible during the appointment, and only uncovering when necessary, is an acceptable compromise.

That meant to say wouldn't you want to protect each other?

I’m conflicted because on the one hand I think YABU and it’s fine for them to insist on masks but also YANBU because they told you that you didn’t need to wear one and that’s what you were expecting.

It's a healthcare setting. They have to follow same rules as the NHS as do dentists, pharmacies etc. I know, I work in one 😬

It's good to hear they insist. They'll have my custom. Covid hasn't gone away. Why take stupid risks?

I went to the optician last week (Vision Express) and asked if they wanted me to wear a mask, was told it was optional.

Try Boots. I bought two pairs of glasses there a month or so ago. No masks, no temperature taking, no nonsense at all (though I could obviously have worn a mask, had I wanted to).

It's a healthcare setting. They have to follow same rules as the NHS as do dentists, pharmacies etc. I know, I work in one 😬

You are wrong it's guidance and they are free to make their own decisions.

Honestly specsavers are pathetic. I totally get wearing a mask when you’re actually in the chair as the optician is millimetres away from you but to force people to stand outside in the cold since all this began is ridiculous. Our local one is a hearing centre too and so many elderly people are forced to stand outside waiting.

They have a very poor selection of glasses on the stands due to “cleaning”, except they are rarely cleaned. They do not offer the 2 for 1 on childrens glasses anymore “you know because of covid”….. I’ve since moved me and my three children who need glasses to our local independent.

Good to know. I'm coming up due for an eye check at specsavers, and feel much safer knowing they're trying to maintain basic sensible precautions.

Thank you for all your replies. Vote seems to be roughly 50 50 so I don't feel too bad :)
Re: those who said masks have to be worn in healthcare settings. They aren't at my dentist or at the vets and haven't been for ages. In a hospital setting I always wear a mask, those places are full of sick people you know 😆

Also @Dilbertian I was just going in to try on frames.

@myquicheisbetterthanyourquiche thanks, that's where I went instead.

I’ve been to all those places recently and not worn a mask. I would have if asked, didn’t realise we were still supposed to!

I’m imagining/hoping masks will stay in that situation.

It’s completely up to them, just as it’s up to you to shop elsewhere.

Why were you so against it? Apart from trying them on which you’ve explained and they told you that you could lower it.

I'm with them and TBH going to change I understand the need to be careful and restrictions. But went for my eye test and just felt really uncomfortable and as though you were an inconvenience and very unwelcome

My local specsavers still wear aprons and gloves as well as masks. They wear the same gloves all the time so I'm not sure what they are trying to achieve.
They also make you wait outside in all weathers. I got a pair of specs from them last year that are too big. They said they couldn't fit them properly because of covid. I'll be going elsewhere next time.

There isn't any point in wearing them when you can take them off to try on the glasses, same as there isn't any point wearing them on a plane when you can take them off to eat/drink. The whole thing is beyond ridiculous now.

Specsavers have been absolutely hysterical throughout this entire pandemic. Go elsewhere. I go to Boots now. Far more sensible.

Clearly it varies.

Our Specsavers still has a huge range of frames on display, despite everything you've tried on being cleaned before it is put back on display. They still have all the 2-for-1 offers on adult and child frames (my man-sized 14yo ds got massive discounts on adult frames as he doesn't fit the children's range). Nobody has to wait outdoors.

I've been to dentist, orthodontist and NHS hospital clinics, as a patient and as an accompanying parent, and the rules for all have been to wear mask or visor at all times unless opening your mouth for treatment.

My local Specsavers still has the entrance locked and someone has to let you in - you can’t just wander in off the street. And they’re very hot on masks and hand sanitation too.

I was in there the other day, they asked me to wear a mask, I said no, they asked if I was exempt, I said no but more than happy to take my business elsewhere if they insisted.

They saw me anyway.

I wore masks the whole time they were mandatory, but I'm not doing it anymore. I'm triple vaxxed and I've had Covid.

I've also been seen by dentists and doctors recently and not had to wear a mask, so clearly not mandatory in NHS services.