Aldi becomes latest supermarket to stop shoppers without masks from coming in

Aldi has become the latest supermarket to make face masks compulsory for shoppers in stores.

The discount chain has joined Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s in cracking down on face mask-wearing in store.

Across all stores, those who have a medical exemption will not be required to wear a mask but others will be asked to wear one and denied entry if they refuse to. 

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

He continued: “Wearing a mask is mandatory for everyone that shops at Aldi, except for the small number of people who have a medical exemption.”

For a limited period you’ll be able to get a free mask from Aldi if you forget to bring yours. Aldi shoppers are also urged to shop alone where possible to reduce the number of people in store. 

Waitrose has also joined the list and will make face masks mandatory. 

Andrew Murphy, group operations director at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We’ve listened carefully to the clear change in tone and emphasis of the views and information shared by the UK’s governments in recent days.

“While we recognise that the detail of formal guidance has not changed, we feel it is right for us – and in the best interests of our partners and customers – to take proactive steps to further enhance our Covid security and related operational policies.

“By insisting on the wearing of face coverings, over and above the social distancing measures we already have in place, we aim to make our shops even safer for customers.”

Those exempt include children under the age of 11, people who cannot physically wear one or for those that wearing one would cause ‘severe distress’.

Additionally, those who rely on lip reading or those cases where wearing a masks would risk harm or injury to others are also exempt.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Sadly, (enforcing mask rules) has led to a sharp rise in incidents of violence and abuse against shop workers, which is why it is essential police support the work being done by retailers.”

Mr Opie also reiterated that supermarkets are safe as per SAGE’s data. He said: “Supermarkets continue to follow all safety guidance and customers should be reassured that supermarkets are COVID secure and safe to visit during lockdown and beyond.”