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Kmart and Coles introduce new face mask policy for shoppers

More retail giants have joined the call for customers to wear face coverings when shopping in NSW.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian recommended earlier this month all residents of the state get into the habit of wearing a mask when in public, but she fell short of making it compulsory.

Woolworths shoppers were subsequently “strongly encouraged” to cover their face while shopping in NSW, ACT and parts of Queensland.

Kmart and Coles have since announced they will be asking their customers to do the same when collecting goods from outlets in NSW.

Two shoppers, one wearing a face mask and another without one.
NSW shoppers have been asked to cover their face in Kmart and Coles. Source: AAP

A Kmart spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia shoppers were urged to wear face coverings in store.

“At Kmart, the health and safety of our team members and customers remains our number-one priority,” the spokesperson said.

“We fully support the NSW government announcement to wear face coverings outside the home and encourage all of our Kmart customers to do so in store, whilst maintaining 1.5m physical distancing.”

A Coles spokesperson said shoppers had been encouraged to wear face coverings at all of its stores in NSW since Ms Berejiklian revealed she had decided to wear a mask whenever she left home.

“As we continue to prioritise the health and safety of our customers and team members, Coles is in regular contact with government health authorities to ensure we are taking all recommended steps to reduce the risk of COVID transmission,” the spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

“The NSW Chief Health Officer has recommended the use of face masks for NSW residents in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, including while shopping in supermarkets.”

A stock image of a Kmart store.
Kmart recommended customers follow Gladys Berejiklian's lead and wear a mask while shopping. Source: AAP

The supermarket said it was providing masks to its NSW workers and encouraged “customers to wear a mask while in our NSW stores”.

Coles has also asked customers to use the sanitiser provided at the entrance of its stores, shop alone where possible, plan their visit ahead of time, pay using tap-and-go and stay home if they’re sick.

Alternatively, shoppers can shop online and have their groceries delivered, or utilise the retailer’s Click and Collect service.

Face masks continue to be mandatory for all people in Victoria when they leave their home, with those in the Melbourne area in the midst of a six-week Stage 4 lockdown.

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