Other supermarkets follow suit, please.

???

well done to sainsburys. I was in my local sainsburys yesterday and though there were marhalls on the entrance I saw one young man with no mask on.. I wish I had asked the people guarding the entrance why he was allowed. I don't think anyone even those with lanyards/exemptions should be allowed in. how long does it take to pick up shopping.
If you can't wear a mask then stay out!

There was an incident in my local town where someone was exempt because they'd suffered childhood sexual abuse and didn't want to disclose the reason (quite rightly) to a complete stranger. Let's hope it isn't anything like that.

My Mum works inside a store, though behind the scenes and she this last week or so has been awful for people causing scenes with security, domestic incidents and police involvement. It miserable for staff in these places atm

Agree. GREAT news. Where I live, if you try to enter with a mask, you are firmly told to mask up or leave. I forgot a couple of times when I first arrived and was put in my place very swiftly.

Of course, there are still the corvidiots who wear the mask UNDER their nose.

lemsip

well done to sainsburys. I was in my local sainsburys yesterday and though there were marhalls on the entrance I saw one young man with no mask on.. I wish I had asked the people guarding the entrance why he was allowed. I don't think anyone even those with lanyards/exemptions should be allowed in. how long does it take to pick up shopping.
If you can't wear a mask then stay out!

I totally agree Lemsip

I'm mainly ordering online but had to shop for my mum the other day so went to Sainsbury's. A man was wandering around with his mask under his chin with ear buds in talking very loudly,obviously conducting a phone conversation.He came right next to me and leant over to get something and before I knew It I said please could you keep your distance and put your mask on properly.Fortunately I didn't get a mouthful of abuse.But I was pleased to see marshals at the door and at last Sainsbury's getting tougher. Long overdue.

That’s brilliant news, and I shop at Sainsbury’s ?. I remember last year when it became ‘ law ‘ to wear masks, I was shocked to see people still weren’t. A shop assistant told me they can’t enforce it. They weren’t even able to question them to see if they were exempt! Seems much better now...and good.

I am not sure how I feel about this to be honest. People with hidden disabilities receive considerable challenges such as why are you using that parking space, why is your child behaving in that way etc. Not that keen to have a society that thinks that is ok.

Agree Galaxy.

I think the NHS should issue cards just stating a person is exempt, which could be discreetly shown to shop security if requested - no need to list the reason.

And the general public have no right to know why someone is exempt.

Good idea Oldwoman
Agree again Galaxy

Yes there are those that just don't want to wear one, and I share everyone's frustration with them, but bear in mind there are those who have been sexually attacked including a hand placed over their mouth, or something in their mouth, to stop them screaming. Anything covering their mouth brings that feeling back. Would you want them to have do go through their ordeal in explanation to a security guard every time they needed to enter a shop?

Or the person with autism, or just any other medical reason that is private.
Look we all know there are people who arent wearing masks who have no exemption reason (Lawrence Fox I am looking at you) and I know we are currently in a crisis situation, but we do need to think about the impacts on society after all this is over.

I agree with Galaxy and Oldwoman70. There doesn’t seem to be an official way of showing someone’s exemption (without showing the reason of course)
I bought a sunflower lanyard and card for my husband online warning that he is partially sighted and may find social distancing difficult.
I could have easily bought one saying the wearer was exempt from wearing a mask - anyone can.
We both wear masks!

Well done Sainsbury's! I visited our local branch today and they were actually enforcing the rules at last. During the last lockdown I once went in in a rush and forgot to put my mask on. I was horrified when I saw the cross looks from other shoppers, yet the staff on the door didn't say a word!

I don't think anyone even those with lanyards/exemptions should be allowed in. how long does it take to pick up shopping

Um ....I think it depends on the reason for the exemption doesnt it! .

I've said it before will say it again if you can't wear a mask wear a shield.

I’m with GagaJo in France, no mask, no entry, they have coped. Those who can’t wear a mask have had shopping done by family/friends/community groups or click and collect.

This was reported nearly a week ago days ago:
Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Waitrose will not let shoppers into their stores if they are not wearing a face covering, the British supermarket groups said on Tuesday, joining rivals Sainsbury’s and Morrisons which made the policy change a day earlier.

My Morrisons has had a security guard outside with a box of masks for nearly two weeks. Customers, if they haven't got one have to take one or be turned away. They have lots of hand sanitising stations throughout the store as well as by the entrance.

Why are some Sainsbury's only just doing it then?

I have just visited Sainsbury’s in Liverpool a mile from where I live. There is a member of staff on the clocking who goes in and out and holding a box of masks. Two men without masks walked in front of me and nothing was said to them.

Member of staff standing at the entrance

Did my weekly shop as Sainsbury's this morning. I have never seen anyone in there without mask on, but did notice this morning, that the door marshall was strictly enforcing the
one person on;y rule. They were stopping couples going in - for the first time for some months.

I have two children with autism, neither of them have any problem whatsoever with wearing masks. Indeed, one of them insists on putting his as soon as he leaves home.

I have COPD and mild asthma, but have no problem wearing a mask for a short time, using the little plastic cutout underneath to keep it away from my nose and mouth.

I believe that supermarket staff have a right to keep themselves safe and their employers have a duty to ensure that their working environment is as safe as possible. It should be a legal requirement for ALL customers to wear a mask properly for the short time they're inside a store.

I accept that there is a very small number of people who genuinely can't wear a mask even for a short time, but there are many alternative ways to shop for food & other necessities nowadays. Many of the small independent shops on our high street have stated that it's “no mask, no entry” but they take telephone orders and payment and hand shopping over at the door.

I feel for the supermarket staff, especially when they get abuse from the public for just doing their jobs.