Morrisons will now no longer allow shoppers in stores without a mask unless they’re medically exempt.

The supermarket Morrisons has now confirmed that customers who refuse to wear a mask will be told to leave the store unless they can provide a medical exemption.

Chief executive David Potts said: “Those who are offered a face covering and decline to wear one won’t be allowed to shop at Morrisons unless they are medically exempt. Our store colleagues are working hard to feed you and your family, please be kind.”

This comes after shopworkers’ union USDAW said it was ‘inundated’ with complaints from members who were ‘deeply concerned’ for their safety, as the public often ignore Covid rules. 

England’s chief medical officer said earlier that the next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic, pleading with the public to minimise the amount of unnecessary contact with people not in their household. 

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Chris Whitty added: “This new variant is really pushing things in a way that the old variant, which was already very bad, was not able to. So we have a very significant problem … The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of numbers into the NHS.” 

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi also voiced his concerns that the public were not complying with the measures put in place by supermarkets. He said: “I am worried about supermarkets and people actually wearing masks and following the one-way system and making sure when it’s at capacity they wait outside the supermarket.”

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) general secretary, Paddy Lillis said: “Retail staff are working with the public every day and not only suffer increased abuse, but are deeply worried about catching Covid-19.

“Where safety measures are agreed, retailers need to make sure that they are being followed consistently, in every store. We are also very concerned by reports that too many customers are not following necessary safety measures like social distancing, wearing a face covering and only shopping for essential items.”

New tighter rules are also now reportedly being considered by the government, six days after the national lockdown was implemented. 

The Telegraph reports that a ban on households mixing is being considered by ministers as well as the possible introduction of face coverings in offices, as some businesses have apparently become ‘lax’. 

Poundland’s festive till alerts have been dubbed ‘humiliating’ by some customers.

Not everybody is impressed with new till alert at Poundland that put a festive twist on the automated voice.

Santa replaces the normal voice at the self-serve tills this Christmas, however one shopper was left mortified after her card was rejected and Santa started singing. 

A video of the festive alert has gone viral with many criticising it as Father Christmas can be heard warning: “Card not accepted, is it on the naughty list?

“Because I’m checking it twice, I’m going to find out who’s naughty or nice,” before singing: “Santa Claus is coming to town.”

One woman complained on Twitter writing: “Your tills are incredibly embarrassing!! Shouting out my card was declined over and over. How discreet for your customers. Not.

“All because I needed to transfer my money to the correct account, the whole shop thought I couldn’t purchase.

“Not happy one bit. Merry Xmas.”

A video has been shared on TikTok racking up over 150,000 veiws. The caption read: “So guys, I accidentally used the wrong card so it got declined – listen to this self checkout machine.

“OMG I’m absolutely screaminggggggg.

“Narrrh, I’m actually emailing Poundland HR, how f****** embarrassing.”

A person replied saying: “This happened to me yesterday! The most embarrassing thing ever.”

A fed up employee replied: “I work at Poundland and this haunts me.”

On Twitter, one man tweeted: “Bizarrely, Poundland has turned its self-service till voice into Santa.

“Just stood behind a queue of people buying binbags, cotton buds, weedkiller with Santa joyfully proclaiming, ‘Ho ho ho, make sure you get those wrapped nicely for Christmas!’ every time.”

A second added: “Shopping in @Poundland and hearing Santa’s voice on the self serve tills was the cheer up I didn’t know I needed today.”

A Poundland spokesman told The Mirror: “Santa took time out of his very busy schedule to do this. How can anyone be a grinch about Santa?

“Our seasonal checkout voices from Elvis to Yoda are part of what makes Poundland, Poundland. We haven’t lost our sense of humour despite this being an unusual year.”

Sainsbury’s has announced plans to open on Boxing Day despite union bosses urging the supermarket to give staff a break.

The supermarket has come under fire following its decision to open between 10am and 5pm on December 26th.

Representatives at Unite accused the company of ‘putting wealth before the wellbeing of its workforce’ after one of the toughest years on record for the supermarket staff.

The union has described the chain as ‘acting like Scrooge’ following the decision.

The union is calling on the supermarket to close on Boxing Day so staff can enjoy ‘a well earned break’  after working in ‘difficult conditions throughout the pandemic’.

They are also calling for measures to help staff get home safely after midnight when public transport might be limited.

The supermarket has agreed to reduce its opening hours but supermarkets will be open from 6am to midnight from December 21st to December 23rd. 

Unite national officer Bev Clarkson said: “In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge begrudgingly gives Bob Cratchit Christmas Day off but demands he be in on Boxing Day.

“By refusing to give their workforce – many of whom, like Bob Cratchit, will have worked until late Christmas Eve – a well-earned break on Boxing Day, Sainsbury’s are acting like Scrooge.

“Putting wealth before the wellbeing of its workforce certainly doesn’t chime with Sainsbury’s warm-hearted Christmas ads currently running on TV.”

Sainsbury’s is said to be anticipating pre-tax profits to top £270million for the year, and over £586million in 2021-22.

Clarkson added: “Scrooge learns that some things are more important than the pursuit of riches; Sainsbury’s, who have made lots of money this year, should follow suit and give staff a well-earned break with their families.

“They should also put in place measures to ensure staff working until after midnight in the run up to Christmas can get home safely.”

“Sainsbury’s should embrace the Christmas spirit by recognising their staff have worked hard throughout the pandemic, on top of working extra hours over the festive period, and give them Boxing Day off.”

Sainsbury’s released a statement that read: “Our colleagues do a fantastic job and have worked incredibly hard this year,”

“We are doing everything we can to give our colleagues Boxing Day off where they have asked for it and we will be reducing our opening hours for Boxing Day from 10am to 5pm for all our Sainsbury’s supermarkets and Argos stores.