Why do shop staff not have to wear masks [Edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

[Orangeblossom78]

Or visors?

I out mine on to go to the small corner shop for milk today. The guy in there doesn't wear one and told me smirking, stay safe! when he saw mine..

Should they not be keeping us 'safe'

Finding the whole thing a farce to be honest

Shop staff, I mean

England or Scotland? Its not compulsory in England until 24th. I dont know if its just customers or staff that are included too. Depends if they have screens at the till too

Apparently not compulsory for shop staff to wear them.

I guess it's not compulsory as they'd be uncomfortable to wear all day.

Having said that I suspect most shops will encourage staff. Apparently a lot of my colleagues have been told that as the store are supplying masks/visors for them to wear (and they have high levels of hygiene which we should adhere to), they will not be responsible if we catch Covid at work as everything is there for us to use and they feel we are adequately protected.

DD works in a shop. She's been told from today, they all have to wear masks on the shop floor. She's a tiny person. They've already had to source expensive very small gloves for her. Even with the elastic noted or twisted, the masks are flapping about on her face. She's going to try and get some for herself for general use anyway, but I suspect she's going to put the store to more expense!

Because we are protecting them. They are in a confined space all day. We will only spend 10 minutes in a shop.

The masks are worn by customers to protect the staff and fellow customers. Although I'm in Scotland and most shop staff have been wearing them here

But why are the shop staff not supposed to protect the customers as well?

Does it not give mixed messages that they expect customers to and don't themselves

And they would be likely to spread the virus more given that the come into contact with so many people

It doesn't make sense

Also- cafe and pub staff seem to wear them, but customers don't need to

So how does that make sense?

Customers in a bar or pub can't wear masks if they are eating and drinking. I've been into a cafe where the staff were wearing visors and a pub where they weren't wearing anything so it seems to depend on the employer.

As for shop staff, 8 hours is a long time to wear a mask. They could potentially wear visors, yes there are gaps but it provides some protection.

Because we are protecting them. They are in a confined space all day. We will only spend 10 minutes in a shop Also agree with this.

The staff are breathing out into the air in a confined space for hours, it would make sense for them to wear a face covering of some type for customer protection. Healthcare workers have to wear masks for a long period of time and those are the itchy papery ones. It would help if shop/cafe/pub staff wore even a fabric face covering.

Sorry, could pay more earlier because I was out at the playground! Anyways, recent reports say shop staff are 75% more likely to die of the virus than the rest of the population. So we wear a mask to protect them. They are exposed to huge amounts of people all day every day, in an indoor environment l, which we know to be more dangerous.

I think the arrangement needs to be reciprocal in order to reduce transmission of the virus. My DH went into a farm shop on Sunday but wouldn't have bought anything had they not been wearing masks, as he was.

I also think customers in pubs and cafes should wear masks except for when actually eating and drinking (so when entering and seated up until their food and drink arrives at their table). I won't go in a pub/cafe where staff aren't wearing masks. The least they can do is minimise risk to me in reciprocation for me doing that for them.

If a shop worker had the virus they could potentially infect every customer coming in, too.

It really should be reciprocal. Especially in small shops. It works both ways!

If you're in England its not even compulsory yet. Maybe they are waiting until then. Or maybe they won't use them. Its then your choice to shop there or not

It is because shops have already had to make their staff Covid safe. They will already be either behind Perspex screens or wearing masks or visors. Plus it would be unfair to fine the individual if the employers hadn't provided correct equipment. I am in retail. I have Perspex screens that i'm behind most of the time, when I'm not I have been provided with a visor.

The staff are usually behind screens. I thought the masks were to prevent transmission between customers.

They don't all have screens, no Or are behind them

I know the scottish craft butchers association put out guidance that staff don't need to wear masks or visors because they reduce visability which is a safety issue when working with sharp knives and heavy machinery so there is an element of this for some places - kitchens, takeaways etc?

It’s illogical for them not to IMO. Being in a confined space means they are more likely to acquire it — and customers wearing masks isn’t a guarantee they won’t go sick. Case studies show that it’s the staff in those environments most likely to be infected not the customers. They should be wearing them for their own protection and to protect customers.

And they’re supposed to urge customers to comply with mask wearing when they aren’t? Daft. Usual BS from this clueless government.

All retail workers in non essential shops in my town that reopened in June are all wearing visors and a few with masks. I honestly haven’t seen anyone not wearing them except in supermarkets. I think this may be due to the fact they have continued to work throughout the pandemic and have become more blasé, possibly thinking they have been exposed to so much already and have been fine so why change now.

I work in a supermarket. Our head office have told us that from tomorrow all staff will need to be wearing a mask when on shift. Even those on till and therefore in an enclosed perspex space.
Some of our customers have already been wearing masks during lockdown, I have found it is these mask wearing customers that are more likely to ignore social distancing rules thinking that the mask protects them. (These customers are also more likely to give us abuse when we ask them to keep their distance).

If shop workers are behind a Perspex screen and can maintain a distance of 2 meters they don’t need to wear a mask

You'd think that @Sherloidbaisherloid but head office are adamant that every staff member has to wear one regardless of what other protections are in place.

You'd think that @Sherloidbaisherloid but head office are adamant that every staff member has to wear one regardless of what other protections are in place.