Men fined for not wearing face masks in supermarket
Two men have been fined for not wearing face coverings in a supermarket.
As well as refusing to wear masks the pair, aged 18 and 21, also failed to socially distance from other shoppers in an Aldi store on Thursday, according to the police.
When they left the supermarket, in the Knowsley area of Merseyside, the men were approached by officers and fined for non-compliance with COVID regulations.
Policing minister Kit Malthouse said on Tuesday that supermarkets should clamp down on people not wearing masks and return to limiting numbers inside their stores in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.
On Tuesday, Tesco and Asda followed Morrisons and Sainsbury’s by announcing that customers must wear a face covering in order to be allowed to enter stores, unless they have a medical exemption.
Knowsley Community Policing Inspector Peter Rexwinkel said: “We know that rates of Coronavirus in the Knowsley area are at a very high level and it is important that we do all that we can to reduce the numbers and keep people safe.
“We all have a part to play and I would continue to urge people to abide by the lockdown rules – don’t go out unless for essential work, shopping or exercise and when you do go into shops and businesses please wear and mask and abide by social distancing.
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“We will continue to work with all our partners to ensure that these messages keep going across and that action is taken against people who chose to flout them.
"It is really important, particularly at this critical time that we protect ourselves, our loved ones and the NHS.”
On Tuesday, Britain’s most senior police officer, Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, said those who break the coronavirus lockdown rules are “increasingly likely” to face fines.
Writing in The Times, she said: “It is preposterous to me that anyone could be unaware of our duty to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus.
“We have been clear that those who breach COVID-19 legislation are increasingly likely to face fines.”
On Friday, the Welsh government announced new rules for supermarkets in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said retailers will now have to offer sanitisers for hands and trolleys, as well as limit the numbers of people inside stores, and ensure they keep their distance from others.
Watch: What you can and can’t do during UK’s third lockdown