A SHOPPER says he has been left outraged after claiming to witness staff coughing without wearing a mask.

Dave Davies has spoken out about his experience in the hope to encouraging supermarket employees to be more mindful around their customers. 

Mr Davies claims he witnessed the worker 'coughing profusely' when he was shopping at Sainsbury's in The Malls last week. 

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “Safety is our highest priority and we ask all colleagues in our stores to wear face coverings, unless they’re exempt according to government guidelines.”

Mr Davies said he complained to the customer experience manager, but he was told the staff are exempt from wearing a mask for medical conditions. He also expressed concern about other workers who allegedly weren't wearing masks and only using visors. 

While the government has emphasised the importance of following the new rules and wearing face coverings in public, there has been no official guidance about whether a face shield or visor can be worn as an alternative to face coverings in England.

The advice from the government states that “people should aim to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others they do not normally meet, for example on public transport or in some shops”.

A face covering is defined by the government as “something which safely covers the nose and mouth”.

Mr Davies said: “If the staff has a medical condition and cannot wear a mask and is coughing, this may mean she has Covid and could be infecting people.

“I was absolutely outraged. I asked to speak to the general manager, and she said he was busy. She asked me to email for any complaint I have.”

“These staff members are not only not protecting themselves, but are potentially infecting others.”

“The staff said that they are complying with government advice. My view is that the government has overseen more than 100,000 deaths and people need to use their own common sense.”

Mr Davies said he has been campaigning since March 2020 about the failure of the government in handling the pandemic and about advice on PPE from a technical perspective.

According to government guidance, face coverings must be worn by retail, leisure and hospitality staff working in any indoor area open to the public.

Last week another customer had complained on Twitter about staff not wearing masks at the Basingstoke B&M store on Thorneycroft Industrial Estate, just off Worting Road,

Susan Bates Little took to Twitter to express her anger and call for B&M to provide an update on their policies over mask-wearing.

Ms Bates Little claimed she was told staff weren't wearing masks because they were anxious.

Writing to social media, she recounted: “I was so very furious yesterday when I was shopping in Basingstoke. Several shop staff were not wearing masks or taking due care and attention around the store. They were not social distancing, [and they were] coming very close to customers.

“[I] spoke to a manager @bmstores Basingstoke there who told me some of the workers were exempt on medical grounds - anxiety. ANXIETY!  They could have easily been more respectful of the general rules. Meanwhile, there was a recording of a stay safe message and store would like feed back.

“So @bmstores #Basingstoke. Thought you may like to know I was not impressed with staff safety measures. I got home to discover a gross overcharge on some goods which needs sorting & the news that we Plague Island UK has well over 100,000 Covid deaths.

“Yes, some folks are exempt. Masks are horrid but a halfway house visa or thin scarf is way forward. Try to keep distant and don’t rush about the @bmstore . Very aware that many people are swinging it & no official checks. Hopeless. Really disappointed.”

B&M Stores have been contacted for a comment.

The government guidelines says a person is exempted from wearing masks “where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress".

The guidelines also says: “Face coverings must be worn by retail, leisure and hospitality staff working in any indoor area that is open to the public and where they’re likely to come into contact with a member of the public.”

Do you think retail store staff are not taking necessary steps to safeguard the customers? If you want to share your shopping experience, or if you’re a staff at retail store, we would like to hear from you. Email kiran.sajan@basingstokegazette.co.uk