Can shops still insist on customers wearing face masks?

Savid Javid is getting hot under the collar about certain covid restrictions.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10781301/Ministers-shame-hospitals-unis-ignoring-visiting-rules.html

Our local Boots the Chemist has no mask requirements. The staff don’t wear them either.

Our local independent pharmacy has a notice on the door. “We would like to advise all customers to wear a mask please”.
So I do. And all their staff wear them.

I think this will continue with some independent shops (our bookshop doesn’t bother, nor does the local gift shop) unless footfall impinges on their takings.

Why wouldn't I? Glad they asked, I'm asthmatic but still wear it, I am amazed that for nearly 3 years I hadn't had a chest infection, that's good enough for me

Was at Specsavers last week - all staff and customers wore masks and a pack on the reception desk to help yourself.
Dentist this morning - all staff wearing masks, but a few patients in waiting room didn’t.
Better safe than sorry, in my case.

It's because it's not a shop, it's a medical facility so yes they can.

We were asked to wear masks at the opticians last week.

I`ve been to the doctor`s today. There`s a sign saying masks must be worn, but there were quite a few people without.

I came through nearly two years, as did my family, without catching covid although out and about but obeying all the rules. An emergency visit to the dentist into a nearly full waiting room but everyone was wearing masks as it was still a requirement at the time and I sat between an empty seat and the wall. Out of the toilet comes a chap - no mask, "snorting" with what would seem to be a cold and sat down beside me and managed to sneeze a couple of times before taking a handkerchief out of his pocket. I sat holding my mask tight and facing the well until I was called. Two days later tested positive for covid - Grrrrrrr!!

Yes why not carry on wearing something that absolutely serves no purpose

I simply do not understand why anyone would refuse to wear a mask. Tests have shown that mask wearing does help to reduce transmission of covid.

My independent optician insisted on face masks when I collected my glasses two weeks ago. They explained they had to do this as they were a health service provider. I was more than happy to comply.

Masks are still expected in medical and health facilities including optometrists as part of infection control requirements. Refusing to wear one- without a medical reason (exemption) is grounds to refuse admittance/ treatment- at least at present, due to the alert level for infection control.

I have been in Spain for 4 weeks where mask wearing was very strict and was obeyed. The restrictions were lifted during the last week we were there.
I went to the vets with my dog to do the necessary to travel back to the UK. I still wore a mask, but others didn't. Arrived back in the UK with covid and my husband now has it. I have been very poorly and he is not doing well. There seems to be no escape.

They can as they are in health care and still require masks. Also health workers still have to test regularly. Why would you risk not wearing one in that setting?
DH sister and her husband just tested positive in Perth Oz and are quite ill - triple vaxed and husband health conditions. Both very overweight. It's not gone away!

I live in a small tourist town. Most of shops still ask for masks to be worn. The older locals still seem to be regular mask wearers but the young 20s 30s and 40yr olds aren’t wearing masks on the whole. Covid infections are high locally according to my gp neighbour and the postie said loads of people on her round are poorly.

A shop can make any reasonable request and set conditions for entry (or refuse entry). Legally, it's just like you inviting somebody into your home. They have a responsibility to keep their staff - and other customers - as safe as possible too.

Biscuitmuncher

Yes why not carry on wearing something that absolutely serves no purpose

Thank you for that generous attitude ……

I was at the dentist today, staff and everyone in the waiting room was masked.
I have a hospital appointment next week and I have been asked if I can wear a mask.

I'm CEV and after two years of sheilding caught Covid three weeks ago. I caught it from my asymptomatic granddaughter, whose school is rife with Covid.
For people like me, who are immunocompromised, it's not just like having a cold. I had to have anti virals in hospital and still feel awful.
I shall continue to wear a mask, its a no brainer for me, despite actually being exempt from wearing one.

I still wear a mask in shops, on public transport and when waiting to be served at the counter in cafés. It's hardly onerous and covid is still around.

I wear one where it is no brainer necessary. For example, I had my eyebrows threaded last week and it was natural for us both to be masked. We have to think differently now about spreading infection and that is no bad thing.

Lucca not to be unkind but people have to make their own judgements. If somehow a mask acts as some kind of security blanket then you crack on

I shall continue to wear a mask as long as the covid levels are high.

You may not die from covid, but you may get long covid - no one wants that!

Biscuitmuncher

Lucca not to be unkind but people have to make their own judgements. If somehow a mask acts as some kind of security blanket then you crack on

Are you one of the people who don’t believe experts?

Biscuitmuncher

Yes why not carry on wearing something that absolutely serves no purpose

I take if you ever need surgery, you'd be quite happy for no-one to wear a mask in the operating theatre then?

Biscuitmuncher

Lucca not to be unkind but people have to make their own judgements. If somehow a mask acts as some kind of security blanket then you crack on

I expect the surgeon and theatre staff who operated on me were wearing masks as some kind of security blanket. I thought that it was something to do with hygiene. Silly me.

Not all surgeons wear masks in theatre,look it up. Masks make no difference it's just traditional to wear them