Tesco and Asda join supermarkets banning those refusing to wear a mask

Tesco, Asda and Waitrose join Morrisons and Sainsbury's in the latest supermarket stance against anti-mask wearers who are not medically exempt.

Some of the UK's biggest supermarkets have announced that they will consider denying entry to shoppers who flout the rules, after being accused of not doing enough to help stop the spread of COVID-19 cases.

Despite the vaccine being rolled out to thousands of people in the UK, thousands of cases are still being recorded and the death toll continues to rise with 1,243 deaths reported on Tuesday.

The enforcement of face coverings for those who are not medically exempt under government guidelines has come under scrutiny in recent days, this comes as police officials claim that they are already stretched too thin to issue fines at the doors of every supermarket for those that disobey the rules.

Around 45,000 fines have been issued in the UK so far.

Police figures believe that clear guidance and signage for customers will be enough for people to follow the rules in shops, but assured that they would be able to step in and help when enforcement situations have turned sour.

This announcement comes after Priti Patel's speech yesterday where the Home Secretary urged the public to play their "part" to protect the NHS and save lives and prevent the minority of people disobeying government rules from risking lives.

Her speech seemed to reference illegal gatherings and parties that police have had to break up in recent weeks during lockdown restrictions as hospitals struggle to cope with coronavirus admissions.

She added: "My message today to anyone refusing to do the right thing is simple: if you do not play your part, our selfless police officers - who are out there risking their own lives every day to keep us safe - they will enforce the regulations."