SUPERMARKETS Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda have all confirmed staff will stop customers from shopping who refuse to wear a mask in stores, unless medically exempt.

The move comes as pressure mounts for supermarkets to revert to more stringent in-store measures due to staff safety concerns.

Morrisons yesterday announced a ban on customers who do not wear face masks will unless they are exempt, with the other large joining in on the policy.

Bosses at Waitrose parent company, the John Lewis Partnership, also revealed it would end click-and-collect services based within John Lewis department stores to avoid non-essential travel and in-home services will be carried out only if “essential” to customers’ wellbeing.

Andrew Murphy, group operations director at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We’ve listened carefully to the clear change in tone and emphasis of the views and information shared by the UK’s governments in recent days.

“While we recognise that the detail of formal guidance has not changed, we feel it is right for us – and in the best interests of our Partners and customers – to take proactive steps to further enhance our Covid security and related operational policies.

“By insisting on the wearing of face coverings, over and above the social distancing measures we already have in place, we aim to make our shops even safer for customers.”

In a statement, Tesco said it also will not let customers in stores without masks.

A spokesperson said: “To protect our customers and colleagues, we won’t let anyone into our stores who is not wearing a face covering unless they are exempt in line with Government guidance.

"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.

“Our colleagues are working hard in difficult circumstances to make sure everyone can get what they need and we’d ask everyone to please be kind, patient and respectful as we all work to keep each other safe.”

Asda said it will refuse customers into its stores if they refuse to wear a face covering without a valid medical reason.

In a statement, an Asda spokesperson said: “If a customer has forgotten their face covering, we will continue to offer them one free of charge – but should a customer refuse to wear a covering without a valid medical reason and be in any way challenging to our colleagues about doing so – our security colleagues will refuse their entry.”

Sainsbury’s has also urged customers to always wear a mask in-store and shop alone.

Following a successful trial over the weekend, the supermarket will this week put trained security guards at the front of stores to challenge those who are not wearing a mask or who are shopping in groups.

The chain has also reduced the number of customers allowed into stores and will have more staff at the front, supporting with cleaning and social distancing.

Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

"The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups. Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone.

"Everyone’s care and consideration matters now more than ever.”

It comes as policing minister Kit Malthouse said all supermarkets should follow in Morrisons’ footsteps to enforce the wearing of masks in stores.

When asked why he thought supermarkets have not done it so far, he told Times Radio this morning: “I think that, understandably, following the November lockdown there was an element of release and therefore the person at the door, the sanitation station, the traffic light system, the queues outside obviously receded a bit.

“What we hope now, and I know all of them will, that they’ll see their responsibility and start to put those things back in place.”

When asked whether police should intervene, he said some officers have issued fines in retail settings, adding: “What we hope is the vast majority of people, or everybody, will be encouraged to do so by the shop owner.”

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Stronger enforcement of coronavirus rules is “necessary”, Matt Hancock said, as he praised police and supermarkets for stepping up their efforts.

The Health Secretary added: “It isn’t just about the Government and the rules we set, or the police and the work that they do – it’s about how everybody behaves.

“I applaud the action Morrisons has taken today, the supermarket, they have said that they will not let people in without a mask unless they clearly have a medical reason.

“That’s the right approach and I want to see all parts of society playing their part in this.”