English Covid rules for shops continue to draw criticism, while Scottish and Welsh caution draws praise

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The government has said it lets the mask wear a matter of choice for customers and retailers, although it advises wearing masks in crowded places.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: This is a real mess. The protection of retail workers by wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing in busy public areas such as shops should be strengthened by law.

Contrary to the position in England, the Welsh government today joined the Scottish government in continuing to make the wearing of masks compulsory in shops after July 19.

Usdaw welcomed this, as did the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which found in a survey of its members that 92% believed masks and social distancing should remain in place in some settings after July 19. .

Kate Thompson, Director of CIEH Wales, said: The existence of different rules across the UK will pose enforcement challenges as our members have already expressed concern about the lack of clarity in the policy of personal choice in England when deciding which protections to adopt and which to work in the workplace.

“Businesses always have a duty to mitigate and manage risk and Covid -19 remains a significant risk.

Independent retailer Tuffins operates a store in Wales, Welshpool, and one in England, Craven Arms, and therefore operates with two different sets of rules.

Managing Director Paul Delves said every store will follow the letter of the law in both countries, so Craven Arms store staff and customers have the choice of whether or not to wear a mask, while in Welshpool, masks will remain compulsory.

Delves said: My point is that it should always be the law. I just think it would be safer to wear a face mask, for a few weeks at least, but we just make sure we follow the regulations.

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