Some supermarkets have introduced more security guards and signs as the big names in the sector adapt to the recent rule changes over face masks for customers.

Only people who can show they are medically exempt should shop without a mask, with the rules also being extended to other smaller outlets and public transport services.

There are continuing calls for face coverings to also become mandatory in pubs, cafes and restaurants after they were not included in the rule change despite ongoing fears about the spread of Omicron.

Retail bosses have been informing customers of the changes – but there is still concern over how the rules will be enforced.

Here is how some of the leading supermarkets have reacted to the new face mask rules:

Tesco

The chain has used Twitter to remind its customers a face covering is mandatory in all its stores.

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It appealed for people to follow the new rules “to help keep you safe” and to be “respectful to our colleagues and customers”.

Sainsbury’s

Customers have been told in an email that they will need a face covering to enter its stores – and there will be security guards and “new signs” to reinforce the message.

Chief executive Simon Roberts said: “Throughout the week we’ll be putting new signs and posters up in all of our stores and we will have greeters and security guards at the front of our supermarkets to support our colleagues as we help everyone get used to the new rules.

“We continue to thoroughly clean trollies, baskets and checkouts and, as an extra precautionary measure, we have increased the fresh air circulating to make sure our stores are well-ventilated.

“We are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe this festive season.”

Aldi

The firm said face masks will be mandatory across all of its stores – and its outlets will continue to have other safety measures such as hand sanitiser and screens.

Chief executive at Aldi UK Giles Hurley said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority.

“Following the latest government announcement, wearing a face covering will be mandatory for everyone that shops at Aldi, except for those who have a medical exemption.”

Iceland

Richard Walker, managing director of the grocery chain, supports the new rules – but said he will not be asking staff to police customers.

“The first thing to say is that of course we support the reintroduction of compulsory face masks in shops and there is no doubt that the emergence of this Omicron variant is really concerning,” he told BBC Radio 4.

“Safety of staff and customers is, of course, a priority.

“But the question isn’t whether or not we should mandate face masks, but whether we can mandate them.”

He added he “won’t be” asking “store colleagues to police those who refuse to adhere to the rules” because staff are “already working under significant pressure”.

Waitrose

The company has been recommending their customers and staff wear face coverings “in line with government guidance” throughout the pandemic and now says it is mandatory to wear a face covering in its shops unless exempt.

It has been retaining screens and hand sanitising stations throughout its stores which “have served us well since the start of the pandemic”.

Co-op

The Co-op said its stores will “do everything” to follow the official guidelines.

The supermarket’s public affairs director Paul Gerrard told Good Morning Britain: “What we’ll do at the Co-op is we’ll make sure we create a safe environment for our customers and our colleagues.

“All our customers will know what the rules are; we’ll do everything we can to help them follow those rules.

“What we won’t do is we won’t refuse to serve people who aren’t wearing a mask and we won’t refuse entry to the shop to people who aren’t wearing a mask.”

British Retail Consortium

The BRC, which represents more than 170 major retailers, said it is the role of the authorities to enforce the new regulations – but added that customers also have a responsibility to adhere to the rules.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Retailers will be communicating the new rules on face coverings in England through in-store signage and other channels.

“However, it is vital that we do not place hardworking retail staff in harm’s way, and enforcement of face coverings must remain the duty of the authorities.

“Furthermore, we all have an individual responsibility to put on a face covering before entering a shop.”

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