Wigan retail and health bosses urge shoppers to wear face masks

Shopping centre owners and health experts have suggested as many residents as possible should get into the habit of wearing a face covering when they go out straight away so there are no problems next week.

There has been some concern over how mandatory face coverings will be enforced, with social pressure to follow others’ examples likely to play a role in ensuring compliance.

Questions have also been raised over why this step was not taken earlier in the disease outbreak.

John Sanson, centre manager at the Grand Arcade, said: “It seems a little bit late. I think people are a bit critical that it wasn’t done when the non-essential shops opened again.

“I’m trying to encourage my staff and tenants to wear masks prior to that date and we would ask the public to do the same.

“Let’s get into the habit of it now so it’s up and running before it comes in.

“I can’t see the police having the capacity to check on it and I think a lot of it will be down to tenants and ourselves, but hopefully everybody will be sensible and realise there’s a reason why we are doing this.

“I’m looking for common sense to kick in and for people to realise this is going to help us all.”

Simon Tucker, centre manager at The Galleries, said: “Following renewed government guidance from July 24, customers visiting shops are being asked to wear face masks. While shop staff themselves are not required to, we would politely ask all our customers to respect this new measure which is there to protect everyone from the spread of Covid-19.”

Wiganers have also been given some advice on cleaning their masks to ensure they work most effectively.

Professor Kate Ardern, director of public health at Wigan Council, said: “I would recommend all residents start wearing a face covering immediately when visiting close public areas including shops, supermarkets and of course on public transport. There really is no need to wait to start doing this.

“It’s really important you wash or sanitise your hands before putting your mask on and after you’ve disposed of it, avoiding touching your face until you’ve done so. It should be fully covering your chin and moulded to your nose.

“Also please remember when you’ve finished using it, you shouldn’t recycle disposable masks but should dispose of your mask safely in a bin to protect yourself and others.

“We must all play our part to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.”

Home-made coverings or garments such as scarves will be acceptable as long as they fully cover the mouth and nose.

It is expected that children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt, though the exact guidelines on this are yet to be published.

Wearing face coverings has been compulsory on public transport in England and at all NHS facilities across the UK since June 15.

And in Scotland people have had to cover their mouth and nose in any shop since July 10.

The Government has said it wants those who refuse to comply to be fined, although the Police Federation has major concerns about how it will be enforced.