VTR0002

Written evidence submitted by Anonymous (VTR0002)

  1. I submit this statement confirming my concerns about the violence and aggression that retail workers are experiencing.

 

  1. This aggression has increased over the last few years, but it has reached a critical level during the Covid 19 pandemic.

 

  1. I have a small micro business, a pet boutique, which as an essential supplier has remained open throughout the pandemic.

 

  1. We have many wonderful customers who are fully cooperative with Covid rules that we insist are followed in our PRIVATE BUSINESS, OUR PRIVATE SPACE.

 

  1. MASKS MUST BE WORN ON ENTERING THE STORE (NO EXCEPTIONS)

 

  1. HANDS MUST BE SANITISED

 

  1. NUMBERS RESTRICTED IN STORE

 

  1. SOCIAL DISTANCING MAINTAINED

 

  1. ALL TEAM MEMBERS ON THE SHOP FLOOR WEAR MASKS AND SANITISE THEIR HANDS AFTER EACH CUSTOMER

 

  1. The government has failed to mandate that Masks/shield MUST be worn by all members of the public in an indoor space.  This failure is in my view at the root of the increased aggression that shop workers are facing. Essentially the government is saying, “If you do not want to wear a mask that’s ok”. People are exploiting this situation, and spreading the virus. They become aggressive and abusive, because the government website says they may exempt themselves if they wish. Some are printing exemption certs some are simply saying, I can do as I wish, wearing a mask makes me anxious! Seriously?

 

  1. Popping a mask on for 5 minutes? We wear them for 8 hours a day. They make us anxious, but not nearly as anxious as a stranger threatening to punch me or spit at me.

 

  1. All of our customers with serious health issues wear a mask, my family with serious health issues are advised not to ever leave home without a mask, friends being treated for cancer are advised never to leave home without a mask, people with heart conditions we know are advised not to leave home without a mask, a friend with asthma is told to always wear a mask in any setting with strangers, another friend with type 1 Diabetes is told to wear a mask whenever he leaves home.

 

  1. This is why after checking with the police and our solicitors we state NO MASK NO ENTRY. This is a private space, we can withdraw licence to enter, and some members of the public simply will not accept this.

 

  1. THIS IS A GOVERNMENT FAILURE:  This Government is failing retail staff, and putting our lives at risk, and needs to step up immediately and enforce the rule If you wish to enter retail premise you must wear a mask, no ifs no buts.

 

  1. Meanwhile the Pandemic rages, deaths increase and this government fails to protect retail workers.

 

  1. Wear a mask or shop online.

 

January 2021