Rejected petition Legislate the unconditional wearing of face masks in retail outlets

Rejected on 15 January 2021

1) Introduce legislation that ensures all persons wear facemasks whilst in retail outlets including members of staff.
2) Empower retail staff to challenge those refuse to wear a mask.
3) Issue a certificate for those genuinely unwell who cannot wear a mask.

The wearing of facemasks appears to have become optional in some quarters and this places staff and other service users at risk. The use of a lanyard is flawed as these can be purchased online.
It is also the case that some people cannot be bothered to wear them. The staff of retail outlets are instructed not to challenge for fear of repercussions as they have no legislative back up.

Why was this petition rejected?

We can't publish petitions when the request is something that's already happening or something that has been announced since you started your petition.

We think your petition is covered by Government or Parliament action already. If you'd like something else, you could start a new petition clearly explaining what it is.

It is already the law to wear a face covering in shops and shopping centres, we're therefore not exactly sure what further action you'd like the UK Government or Parliament to take. The Police are responsible for enforcing the law.

You can find out more here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#when-to-wear-a-face-covering

You may wish to sign this petition:

Make it an offence for shops to sell items to persons not wearing face coverings: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/548576

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.