ACS criticises “mixed messages” from government on masks and social distancing

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are already hearing mixed messages from the Prime Minister, other cabinet members and advisors. If the public are being asked to act responsibly, specifically what are they being asked to do?”

Lowman added that the ACS wanted to know whether individual shops could set policies on social distancing and face masks, whether the government would ask people to respect those policies and whether it would support businesses in implementing them.

He said: “Our members will be faced with a group of customers who are uneasy about the lack of restrictions, and a group who are eager to move on from social distancing. We cannot support everyone without government messaging that customers should respect business’s policies.”

The ACS is taking its plea for clarity and support to meetings with the Cabinet office and other government departments this week.

The organisation says its members need:

• A clear expectation on whether they can set policies on social distancing and mask wearing
• High level support from government making clear that individual store’s policies should be respected and that abuse of staff for implementing these policies will not be tolerated
• Clarity on whether the government sees adhering to social distancing and mask wearing as best practice

Lowman added: “The tensions in government messaging will play out not in the corridors of government departments but on trains and buses and in the aisles of shops.”

Many independents say they will continue with social distancing and hygiene measures in their stores regardless of the official government stance.