Morrisons has become the first major supermarket in the country to ban customers who do not wear a face covering.
People who don’t have a mask will be offered one by security staff, but turned away if they don’t accept it.
Morrisons said it had “introduced and consistently maintained thorough and robust safety measures in all our stores” since the start of the pandemic.
But it said: “From today we are further strengthening our policy on masks.”
Morrisons’ 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.”
Exemptions will be made for people unable to put on or wear a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or disability, those for whom wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress and anyone assisting someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
