Essex Police have now revealed the four steps which stores should take if shoppers arrive with no mask.

With the new mandatory face mask rule hitting stores today (July 24), officers have now came up with the 4E's which business owners should follow if they come across anyone without a mask inside their shop.

As of today, it's now illegal to not wear a face mask in the following settings: 

  • public transport
  • indoor transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
  • shops and supermarkets (places which are open to the public and that wholly or mainly offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
  • indoor shopping centres
  • banks, building societies, and post offices (including credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses)

You are expected to wear a face covering immediately before entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave.

If this doesn't happen, here's what you can do..

STEP ONE: ENGAGE

If you become aware of someone not wearing a face covering when required to do so, speak to the individual politely.

Identify your position and role as a representative of the business.

STEP TWO: EXPLAIN

Explain to the individual that you have approached them because they are not wearing a face covering within the business and that there is a requirement set in law by the government that they must wear a face covering inside a shop.

Explain that the face covering is there to protect everyone and reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. Providing this clarity for your customers and reassuring them that you welcome their custom will reduce the risk of conflict.

STEP THREE: ENCOURAGE

Encourage the individual that they are welcome in your business and will need to wear a face covering. 

Explain any immediate options to obtain a face covering- it may be that they have one easily accessible to them nearby. 

Reiterate that the requirement on face coverings is set in law by the government, not by your business. 

STEP FOUR: ENFORCE

No business employee should have to face violence or anti-social behaviour in the workplace. Through utilising the 4E's and appeals approach this will resolve many incidents. 

It is anticipated that businesses will be able to resolve most incidents themselves without a need to call the police, however there times when you may need to.

Call 999 immediately if:

  • A serious offence is in progress or has just been committed 
  • Someone is in immediate danger
  • Property is in danger or being damaged
  • A serious disruptuion to the public is likely

If an incident is not happening then and there or the offender has left then you can report online at http://www.essex.police.uk or phone the non-emergency line on 101.

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