More supermarkets refuse entry to customers without face coverings

Tesco, Asda and Waitrose are the latest supermarkets to take a tougher stance on customers who refuse to wear a face covering without a medical exemption.

They follow Morrisons and Sainsbury’s who had previously announced similar measures last Monday (January 11).

The Co-op did not confirm whether it would ban customers without masks but said it will increase its in-store messaging.

It came as a police chief said officers will be on stand-by to help with dissenters who become “aggressive” in supermarkets.

On Tuesday (January 12) Tesco - which has branches in Milton and on Newmarket Road - said it will not let customers who are not wearing a face covering into its stores unless they are exempt in line with government guidance, as it asked shoppers to be “kind, patient and respectful” towards staff.

A spokesman said: “We are also asking our customers to shop alone, unless they’re a carer or with children.

“To support our colleagues, we will have additional security in stores to help manage this.”

Echoing Tesco’s calls for customers to treat staff with respect, an Asda spokesman said: “If a customer has forgotten their face covering, we will continue to offer them one free of charge.”

Read more:

Milton Tesco petrol station to close for six weeks

Old-fashioned loyalty sees Fraser Confrey give a lifetime devotion to Milton Football Club