MASK ABUSE
Asda and Sainsbury’s customers reveal ‘abuse’ for wearing masks on Freedom Day but Brits covered on trains
ASDA and Sainsbury's workers and customers were 'abused' for wearing masks on Freedom Day, it's been revealed.
Under today's lockdown lifting, the protective gear is no longer required by law, but cautious British commuters are still donning them on trains.
18
18
Brits have taken to social media to share stories of how they've been targeted by anti-maskers.
One shopper complained on Twitter: "Already had abuse in Asda this morning for wearing a mask for f***'s sake what's so difficult about respecting people's boundaries."
An upset parent tweeted: "This morning already had two no maskers in Sainsbury's petrol station in my face.
"I'm immunosuppressed and in the car was my daughter who has Down syndrome and has had heart surgery."
Nigel Anderton replied: "So sorry, this is wrong."
Another warned: "It's only going to get worse."
But a blunt 'MarktheGoat' suggested: "Tell them to mind their own f***ing business."
Tom Penfold sympathised: "My mum and sister both in hospital from car accident; my mum has been double-jabbed yet still caught corona, so I don't blame you for wearing a mask."
Debbie Bryan tweeted: "It's disgusting. People really need to stop being selfish idiots and think about others."
Another said: "You don't need any excuse to wear a face covering. However, not wearing one is just plain selfish… and potentially very dangerous."
It is still compulsory to wear masks on Transport for London services after Sadiq Khan said he didn't want passengers put "at risk".
Despite this, many commuters across the country were pictured ditching the mask as they made their way into work.
It comes as...
- 'Freedom Day' sees social distancing end and laws on masks scrapped
- Boris Johnson is under pressure to '
- The PM made a u-turn after saying he wouldn't self-isolate
- NHS staff who are vaccinated can carry on working if they are 'pinged'
- Children will reportedly be offered the vaccine later this year
There appeared to be more people choosing not to wear the kit on public transport than in previous months during the pandemic.
But there was a clear divide - with the majority of passengers choosing to still wear a mask even though it is no longer required by the law.
Brits were also pictured at shopping centres and leaving a Greggs today without face coverings.
18
18
18
18
18
18
The government announced masks will still be encouraged on public transport but will no longer be mandatory after Freedom Day.
Businesses and travel operators can make their own rules - but without the hefty fines to enforce the measures.
Many have opted to keep the rule in place - including in supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Aldi.
Free face coverings are available at the front of Asda branches for customers who wish to wear one.
🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
Other high street shops such as Waterstones, John Lewis, Argos and B&Q are also "encouraging" customers to mask up.
Transport for London has confirmed fines won't be issued for those not wearing a mask but passengers could be removed from its services.
Manchester's Metrolink tram service is also telling passengers and staff to wear masks.
18
18
18
18
And Uber confirmed at the weekend its 'No Mask, No Ride' policy remains in place.
Today marks Freedom Day - the day where social distancing and working from home are scrapped.
Boris Johnson has begged the public for a "cautious" end to lockdown amid the "extremely contagious Delta variant."
He said: "We've got to do it cautiously. We've got to remember that this virus is sadly still out there.
"Cases are rising, we can see the extreme contagiousness of the Delta variant.
Most read in News
"But we have this immense satisfaction that the vaccine programme has very severely weakened the link between infection and hospitalisation, and between infection and serious illness and death.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"So please, please, please be cautious and go forward tomorrow into the next step with all the right prudence and respect for other people.
"And above all, please, please, please, when you're asked to get that second jab, get the jab, please come forward and do it."
All the places you DO still have to wear a face mask
FACE masks are no longer a legal requirement now that England has taken its final step out of lockdown.
However, coverings are still recommended in enclosed areas and on public transport to stop the spread of Covid.
Businesses and travel operators can make their own rules - but without fines to enforce the measures.
Transport for London has made wearing a face covering a condition for travel on its services, like the Underground and buses.
Masks are required on Manchester's Metrolink tram service, and Uber's 'No Mask, No Ride' policy remains in place.
Passengers travelling with British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair will need to wear face coverings, as well as on the Eurostar.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Aldi are among supermarkets who still want shoppers to wear masks, despite the legal requirement being lifted.
Other high street shops including Waterstones, John Lewis, Argos and B&Q are also "encouraging" customers to mask up.
And coverings are expected at tourist attractions such as London's Natural History Museum and the Historic Royal Palaces, which includes The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
In NHS settings, staff, patients and visitors need to wear face masks and observe social distancing, Public Health England said.
Nightclubs are not be expected to force patrons to wear masks, though it is down to individual venues to decide.
In any venue, there will be no fines for not wearing masks and there is no legal right for shops to enforce customers to wear masks.
18
18
18
18
18
18
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 'welcomes' TfL plans to continue mask wearing after July 19
Topics