Sainsbury's and John Lewis asks shoppers and staff to keep wearing masks

Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Waitrose and Morrisons will continue to ask people in England to wear masks in their shops when Plan B rules end on Thursday.

Rail operators also said passengers would be expected to wear masks after the legal requirement for face coverings in public places is dropped.

All said they would encourage, not force, customers to comply.

Plan B rules, imposed in early December to battle Omicron, are being lifted as infections have peaked nationally.

But the government is still advising people to wear masks in enclosed or crowded spaces and when meeting strangers.

Trade union Usdaw, which represents 360,000 retail workers, has urged customers to continue to "observe Covid safety measures", despite the mandatory requirement for masks ending.

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Sainsbury's said safety was its "highest priority" and that it would ask customers and staff in England to "continue to wear a face covering in our stores if they are able to".

It will use poster campaigns and Tannoy announcements to get the message across.

"In Scotland and Wales face coverings remain mandatory for those who can wear them in our stores, in line with the latest government restrictions," the supermarket added.

"We continue to have a range of safety measures in all of our stores, including screens and sanitising stations."

Meanwhile, John Lewis said it would be "suggesting people wear masks" in its department stores and Waitrose shops from Thursday, but added: "It will be down to individuals to make a personal choice."

Electronics retailer Currys said it would urge its staff to continue to wear masks in-store and while delivering products to homes, but wouldn't ask customers.

"We will continue to assess our approach based on infection rates and colleague feedback," the company said.

Sanitising stations will stay at Sainsbury's supermarkets

Mandatory mask-wearing has been a contentious issue during the pandemic, with industry bodies calling for customers to "respect" the rules.

There have also been questions about who is responsible for enforcing the measures, after violence against retail staff increased during the crisis.

Despite this, retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco asked shoppers to continue wearing face coverings when the previous mask-wearing mandate ended in July 2021.

At the time, Sainsbury's said it followed supportive feedback from customers and colleagues.

'Customer safety first'

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said it was "deeply disappointing" the government had ended mandatory face coverings in shops when "case numbers remain high".

"We hope all retailers will continue to put staff and customer safety first," he added. "Wearing a face covering is an important measure to help protect workers who have no option but to interact with the public."

The government says it is easing Plan B rules because of how well the public has followed the measures and because of the success of the vaccine booster rollout.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs last week scientists believed the Omicron wave has peaked.

Elsewhere, the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, said operators will still ask passengers to wear masks after Thursday and said it expected most would comply.

It comes after TfL said its passengers would be expected to keep wearing face coverings as government rules are relaxed.

"Travelling by train is as safe, if not safer, than other indoor activities, with ventilation that refreshes the air in carriages every six to nine minutes," the Rail Delivery Group said.

"In line with government guidance, train companies will be asking passengers to wear face coverings out of courtesy to others, unless they're exempt."

Helen Dickinson, boss of industry body British Retail Consortium (BRC), said the removal of Plan B measure would "enable shopping to return to more normal experience for customers, employees and businesses".

"Retailers ask customers to be considerate to those around them when choosing whether to wear a face covering and to respect the decision of other customers," she added.

"Retailers continue to implement many other existing safety measures such as hand sanitiser and perspex screens."

Why use a face covering?

Scientific evidence has suggested coronavirus transmission mainly happens indoors where people are closer together.

Covering the nose and mouth can help reduce the spread of virus droplets from coughs, sneezes and while speaking.

The main purpose is to protect others although there is some evidence masks offer protection to wearers.