Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether retail workers have to wear facemasks in the shops in which they are employed; and if not, why not.

From 24 September, it will be compulsory for workers in retail, leisure and hospitality settings to wear a face covering in areas which are open to the public and where they either come or are likely to come into contact with members of the public.

This is in addition to existing legal obligations that require businesses to provide a safe working environment, which may include providing face coverings where appropriate, alongside other mitigation measures such as perspex screens to separate workers from the public.