New Covid rules for supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Lidl explained
COVID fears have increased with the Omicron variant spreading and there are now new restrictions in place.
Brits face fines for not following the new safety measures which include masks in shops.
The wearing of a face covering was last required at the start of the year until all Covid restrictions were lifted on July 19.
But cases of the new variant and fears that it could spread over the winter mean mask-wearing will become a must in shops in England from today (Tuesday December 30).
People will also have to wear masks on public transport and schoolchildren are also being advised to don face coverings too.
Here's what you can expect when you head to supermarkets with the new rules to help fight Omicron come in.
Tesco
Tesco shoppers will have to wear a face covering when they head into one of the supermarket's more than 4,000 locations.
Tesco already asked shoppers to wear one if possible before the new rules.
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From Tuesday it will become mandatory to wear a face covering under new government rules, unless exempt.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “As we have throughout the pandemic, we are continuing to follow Government guidance to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues.
🔵 Read our Omicron variant live blog for the latest news
"From Tuesday November 30, it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering in our stores unless exempt in line with Government guidance.”
Larger and busier stores still have traffic light systems in place and floor markings to encourage social distancing.
Also still in place are hand sanitiser stations and extra cleaning for trolleys and baskets, as well as protective screens at checkouts.
At some points through the national lockdowns there were buying limits in place on some essential items.
For customers and staff in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings remain mandatory unless exempt.
Asda
Asda shoppers will also have to wear a mask from Tuesday when the new government rules come in, unless exempt.
We've also asked the supermarket if they will introduce any other new safety measures or restrictions and will update when we hear back.
After previous restrictions lifted, Asda said that it was still offering face coverings at the front of stores for customers who needed one.
Asda has hand sanitiser stations in place through stores and Perspex screens at tills, and there are extra cleaning processes in place still too.
For customers and staff in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings remain mandatory unless exempt.
Sainsbury's
Shoppers heading to Sainsbury's will have to follow the government rules for wearing a mask, unless exempt.
It means they'll notice a number of changes in-store from today, as the rules are set in place.
Sainsbury's boss Simon Roberts said in an update to customers: "From today, everyone in England must wear a face covering when shopping or working in our stores, unless they are exempt."
Masks have not been compulsory but customers have been asked to wear face coverings when they can at the store.
The supermarket said it will have signs up around the store now reminding customers of the new rules.
And greeters and security guards on the doors will "help everyone get used to the new rules".
Mr Roberts added: "We continue to thoroughly clean trollies, baskets and checkouts and, as an extra precautionary measure, we have increased the fresh air circulating to make sure our stores are well-ventilated.
"We will of course also make sure there is plenty of hand sanitiser available as you come in and out of our shops."
There have previously been staff on doors during restrictions reminding people of the mask-wearing rules.
It has also asked customers to avoid busy times and shop alone in the past, if they can, and has sometimes had queuing in place to ensure social distancing inside.
Customers and staff in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, must wear face coverings as they are mandatory unless exempt.
Aldi
Aldi shoppers will need to wear face coverings when they enter stores from Tuesday.
The supermarket has confirmed that the new rules will be in place, and we've asked if there will be any other safety measures or restrictions and will update when we hear back.
Giles Hurley, chief executive officer at Aldi UK said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is our number one priority.
"Following the latest Government announcement, wearing a face covering will be mandatory for everyone that shops at Aldi from Tuesday 30 November, except for those who have a medical exemption.”
Previously Aldi limited to buying three packs of each of toilet roll, pasta, flour and eggs, at the height of Covid but these restriction were later eased.
It also had a traffic light queuing system in place before and advised shoppers to avoid the busiest times and shop alone if possible.
Masks are already mandatory at Aldi’s Scottish and Welsh stores.
Lidl
Shoppers heading to Lidl are expected to have to don a face covering from Tuesday onwards.
We've asked the supermarket if there will be any other safety measures or restrictions in place and will update when we hear back.
Previously Lidl had advised that customers shop at quiet times while entry was limited if there were too many people in stores.
At the height of the pandemic some stores did have restrictions in place on the amount of items each customers could buy, on a store by store basis.
Face coverings are mandatory in stores in Scotland and Wales under local government rules.Iceland
Iceland
Iceland shoppers will have to wear masks from Tuesday - but it won't force customers to.
Richard Walker, the boss of the supermarket said his staff on shop floors will not be asked to intervene when they spot someone not wearing a mask.
Since lockdown lifted Iceland has encouraged shoppers to continue wearing masks.
We've asked if there will be any other new safety measures or restrictions in place for shoppers and will update when we hear back.
Morrisons
Morrisons shoppers will have to wear face masks under the new government rules coming in from Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "We will be following all updated government guidelines to keep our customers and colleagues safe."
Customers without a face covering will be offered one at the door and be reminded of the rules through signs and announcements in stores.
We've asked Morrisons if there will be any new safety rules or restrictions in place and will update when we hear back.
The supermarket already has increased cleaning, perspex screens at tills and cleaning stations for customers to sanitise trolleys and baskets in place.
Previously Morrisons has limited the number of customers in store with queues outside to keep social distancing inside.
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There were also limits on a few key items a the height of the lockdowns, but none at the moment.
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