Fights In Shops As Customers And Staff Clash Over Not Wearing Masks

Brawls broke out in supermarket aisles yesterday as new laws on face masks came into force.

- Cyril Dixon

Across the country, angry shoppers confronted other customers for failing to cover their faces while others were kicked out by furious staff.

Senior police figures had urged retailers to enforce laws forcing customers to wear masks in all shops, stations, banks, and post offices, but there was confusion with different businesses having different policies on coverings.

Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op, and Costa Coffee are among firms saying they would not police rules, which also require people to cover up in all transport hubs, shopping centers, and petrol stations.

McDonald’s, on the other hand, is enforcing rules, with customers in a Chelmsford, Essex, branch ordered to leave for not wearing a mask. The fast-food giant said takeaway customers will need to wear masks but those who eat in the restaurant will not.

Fights broke out as masked shoppers confronted those not wearing a covering.

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