A number of supermarket retail bosses have spoken out to explain why they won’t be enforcing the new face mask rules in stores across the UK.
Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are among the retailers who say they have no plans to challenge customers over the wearing of a face covering in store, after masks once again became compulsory on public transport and shops as of yesterday as part of efforts to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant.
The compulsory wearing of face coverings is one of a handful of new measures that have been introduced in England.
The UK government says that the new measures – which were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a Downing Street news conference this past Saturday evening, and confirmed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid this week – are being taken as a “precaution to slow down the spread of the variant”
The measures will be in place while the government attempts to “gather more information”.
Budget supermarket chain Iceland was the first retailer to grab headlines yesterday after it confirmed it would not be asking customers to wear masks to stop staff members facing unwarranted abuse, with Managing Director Richard Walker telling BBC’s Radio Four Today programme that while the chain supported the reintroduction of face masks, it would be unfair to ask staff to confront people not wearing masks.
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“They are already working under significant pressure, especially as we hit the busiest trading month of the year,” he said.
“I won’t be putting my staff at any risk of confrontation or abuse.”
Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are among the retailers who say they have no plans to challenge customers / Credit: Unsplash
It’s believed that Tesco – the UK’s largest supermarket chain – will only be putting signs up to remind customers about face mask rules, rather than enforcing them, which looks to be a stance echoed by Aldi and Lidl, which are also understood to have no plans to challenge customers over the next three weeks.
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Sainsbury’s said it will have “greeters and security guards at the front of our supermarkets” to remind people to wear masks, while Morrisons is too expected to have staff members checking the wearing of face masks at the front of the shops.
Both Morrisons and Asda said they will be handing out masks at the front of stores to customers who have forgotten to bring them.
Industry body The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said it is up to police to enforce face mask rules, not retailers, and that incidents of physical violence aimed at retailers have increased by two thirds, with reasons mainly being around COVID-19 rules.
New COVID-19 measures
All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status, and they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from next week, and all hospitality settings will be exempt.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) November 27, 2021
Featured Image – Flickr
News
Beloved play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time set to return to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved stage plays of the 21st Century is returning to Manchester.
Based on the celebrated 2003 novel of the same name that captivated readers worldwide, and inspired a groundbreaking National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is returning to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in early 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The new play is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens, and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
Taking over the Manchester Opera House stage in March 2027, critics have described the production as ‘inventive, gripping, and moving’.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story to create an ‘unforgettable’ theatrical event.
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If you’re not familiar with the plot, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone – a gifted child with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life.
When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself under suspicion, but determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, ultimately forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure,” commented Playwright Simon Stephens, as the new adaptation was announced this week.
“It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria, and from school drama clubs to Wembley Way.
“I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester Opera House as part of its UK tour from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Friday (21 November) at 10am.
Manchester set to host five UEFA EURO 2028 matches – including England’s opening game
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been confirmed to be the host of five matches at the upcoming UEFA EURO tournament in 2028.
This also, crucially, would include England‘s opening match, should they qualify directly.
The joint announcement by Manchester City and Manchester City Council today comes as UEFA has now released key details about the UK & Ireland 2028 competition – which, as it stands, is less than 1,000 days away.
It has been confirmed that the Etihad Stadium – which is known as The City of Manchester Stadium when not relating to Manchester City football club – will host four Group Stage matches across four different groups, offering both local and international football fans the chance to see a range of different national teams in action.
On top of this, Manchester will also be the host a Round of 16 knockout match as the tournament progresses.
UEFA EURO 2028 will kick off at the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff on Friday 9 June 2028, culminating in the Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 9 July 2028.
Across the UK and Ireland, nine stadiums will host matches during the upcoming tournament – with other northern stadiums including Everton Stadium in Liverpool, and St James’ Park over in Newcastle.
More than three million tickets – as sold by UEFA – are set to be available for the tournament, and more information on this will be issued in due course.
Following an independent assessment, UEFA EURO 2028 is expected to generate up to £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits for the UK and Ireland between 2028 and 2031, with benefits including job creation, regional growth, and direct spending from international visitors.
The countdown has started in Manchester for #EURO2028!
Five matches are scheduled to be played here – including England's opener if they qualify – and more than 300,000 fans will be welcomed to the city in June 2028.
The Manc -
1st December 2021 
