woolworths masks

Photo: Flickr / No name given

Woolworths addresses confusion over ‘mask-wearing policy’

Woolworths, one of the biggest retailers in South Africa, has had to issue a response to claims made about their requirements for wearing masks in-store.

woolworths masks

Photo: Flickr / No name given

It would seem that Woolworths has been stung by an item of fake news – or at least, disingenuous social media posts – after they were forced to clarify their policy on wearing masks indoors.

‘Old media’ to blame for confusion

The retailer has faced a flurry of questions after some members of the online community posted pictures of a sign outside of one of their stores. It advises people to avoid wearing masks, citing the WHO as its source:

“In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO), we have been advised against the use of face masks as they do not prove to be effective in preventing infection for the wearer.”

“Also gloves are no effective because research has shown that microbial standards are better achieved when people wash their hands correctly, and people will more regularly wash their hands when not wearing gloves. Gloves have further been shown to lead to sweating which again incubates microbes.”

Woolworths sign used in April 2020

Do you have to wear a mask in Woolworths? Yes…

However, Woolies aren’t joining the misinformation campaign being led by anti-maskers. The group has since confirmed that the sign is genuine, but it was only applicable during the earlier days of the pandemic. Right now, all shoppers entering a Woolworths store are required to wear a mask or face covering.

As the world learned more about the nature of coronavirus, the approach mask-wearing evolved and eventually became mandatory for all public ventures. But even so, the delay in making face coverings an absolute necessity also proved to be controversial all those months ago – as illustrated by this Tweet:

Woolies wants shoppers to carry on wearing face coverings

Woolworths has been consistent in applying its rules since face coverings were made compulsory in June. They have shared several exchanges on Twitter and Facebook, clarifying that all workers, shoppers, and security staff have to be wearing their masks while in-store. A spokesperson told The Mercury:

“This was signage that was in store at the start of lockdown. This stance has since changed and all our people wear masks and or visors. All our staff wear masks and we require customers to do the same.”

Woolworths statement on masks and face coverings