Facemasks are expected to be worn in shops and at work and table service should remain in bars, the government said yesterday in a move that provoked a backlash.
The guidance issued by ministers was stronger than expected by businesses, which said they were being left in legal limbo. They have five days to decide how to implement the rules, which were described as “mixed messages” and a “real mess”.
Sainsbury’s became the biggest retailer to ask customers to keep wearing masks. Signs and announcements in its branches will reinforce the message. The bookshop chain Waterstones, which has more than 280 shops across Britain, also said it would ask customers to keep wearing masks.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said masks would
