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Supermarket giant slammed for advising Welsh shoppers they don’t have to wear face masks in stores

17 Jul 2021 2 minute read
Asda’s Deeside store. Photo via Google.

Asda’s customer service department has been slammed after publishing incorrect information on social media about the legal requirement for people to wear facemasks in shops in Wales.

Shoppers in Deeside and Pwllheli complained about large numbers of people not wearing masks in stores today and one Twitter user contacted the supermarket giant’s customer service department to say staff were also concerned about “the influx of people” without masks.

In England the legal requirement to wear masks in shops is being scrapped from next Monday but in Wales face coverings will remain mandatory on public transport, shops and most indoor public places.

Scrapped

In response to the message from Tudur Parry, Asda’s service team appeared to believe the legal requirement to wear a mask in shops had already been scrapped in England and seemed unaware of the Covid rules in Wales.

“We have followed government guidance on mask wearing throughout the pandemic,” they replied.

“As it is no longer mandatory we continue to have signage and announcements on Asda Radio for customers. We will also provide masks to those that want to wear one.”

Other Twitter users were quick to respond, reminding the customer service department that Welsh rules applied in their Deeside store, while another said Asda was having “an absolute shocker”, adding “this is Wales not England”.

After announcing the latest easing of Covid restrictions in Wales last week, First Minister Mark Drakeford told Radio 4’s Today programme. “Masks will be compulsory here in Wales on public transport, in health and social care settings, and in most indoor settings as well.

“We’re lifting the use of them in hospitality and in schools, and that’s we hope the first step in being able to lift mandatory use of them in more indoor settings.

“But the rules in Wales be clear from the 7th of August, continued mandation on masks in those places where the risks of contracting coronavirus are greatest.”


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Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Noted. Will avoid Asda. Not where I shop generally anyway, but good to know

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

I remember when they opened in Wrecsam, the staff were so happy to have a tidy job, I started doing my mum’s shopping there because it was a good ‘vibe’…sadly mum’s dead now and I don’t go there anymore…

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Sorry to hear about your Mum, but yeah when it came here it proved popular (still is). It was the only place in town you could get red delicious apples. Pretty decent working conditions for the staff too. I wouldn’t “boycott” over such a thing as mentioned in this article, but I will give them a wide berth for a little while until I think they have a handle on current restrictions in Cymru

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Down in Eagles, if I remember? Then came (illegally?) the shopping mall without a roof. Hey this is Wrecsam, where only wimps fear rain…..whatever.

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago

This betrays a profound level of ignorance on the part of some guy in a suit. You don’t get any of this nonsense in the Ruabon store: everyone’s masked up.

glasiad
glasiad
2 years ago

Compulsion to wear a face covering while shopping may be ‘legal’, but it remains unlawful, if you can appreciate the difference. I have never worn a face covering while shopping anywhere in Wales, Scotland or England. And I never will. If challenged, a simple “I’m exempt” ends the discussion. Anyone who doesn’t want to wear a face covering is exempt by definition. End of story.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  glasiad

Nope. But thank you. It’s always good when the selfish and arrogant point themselves out

Bruce
Bruce
2 years ago
Reply to  glasiad

Are you exempt on the grounds that you are an imbecile?

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