Woolworths encourages new step to 'keep customers safe'

As coronavirus cases continue to increase across NSW Woolworths supermarkets have urged all customers and team members to wear face masks in the state.

Eighteen new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24-hour period to 8.00pm Wednesday night.

Although wearing a face covering isn’t mandatory in NSW like in parts of Melbourne, it is still strongly advised for all those in the state to wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible.

From August 3 the supermarket will strongly encourage all people in NSW and ACT to wear a face mask when entering Woolworths supermarkets, Woolworths Metro stores, BIG W, Dan Murphy’s, BWS and ALH Hotels.

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said the safety and wellbeing of customers, teams and communities was the supermarket giant’s top priority.

“Even though wearing a face covering is not mandatory in NSW, ACT or Queensland, as the largest private sector employer with stores in almost every community, we feel it's important we lead the way in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19.

“We’re asking our teams to lead by example, and this includes our Group Executive Team,” Mr Banducci said in a statement.

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In Queensland, customers and staff across Woolworths stores within hot spot areas will also be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings from tomorrow.

This is in addition to the mandatory requirements for face coverings in all of Victoria, currently in place across Melbourne and Mitchell shires, with the entire state included from Sunday.

Face coverings are being provided to all Woolworths Group team members to wear and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

“Masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19.

“By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe,” Mr Banducci said.

Woolworths CEO said part of the solution to slow the spread of the virus is working together.

“We’d like to thank our customers and team for their ongoing support as we all work together to keep our communities COVIDSafe.”

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