Betting shop punters must mask up as D-day arrives for compulsory use in retail

Customers in betting shops will be required to wear facemarks from Friday, with firms including Paddy Power warning they will not be handing out masks to those who forget about the new government rules relating to Covid-19.

Since the middle of May, people have been advised to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where they might meet people they would not normally encounter.

From June 15, masks have been compulsory on public transport in England and at NHS facilities.

That rule will apply to shops from Friday, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock said recently the policy would "give people more confidence to shop safely and enhance protections for those who work in shops".

Fines of up to £100 could be handed out if people do not comply with the regulations, although some with disabilities are exempt from wearing them.

Hand sanitiser is readily available in a betting shopCredit: David Carr

Bookmakers may be tested combating any under-age and self-excluding transgressions.

Simon Clare of Coral said: "The need to ask customers to remove masks for a short period to check on age is generally accepted and in place for a number of retail outlets that sell age-restricted products such as alcohol in supermarkets. We also have a responsibility to check identity on occasions in relation to self-exclusion."

A Paddy Power representative said: "At present we don't plan to provide masks to customers but will keep this under close review over the coming weeks, to ensure we are doing our utmost to keep employees and customers safe at all times."

Betting shops reopened in Royal Ascot week on June 15 in line with the government's easing of restrictions, with safety measures in place including screens, hand sanitisation, strict cleaning protocols and limiting the number of customers at any one time.

Some shops have also put in place track-and-trace systems where customers are in the premises for a period of time.

A spokesman for the Betting and Gaming Council, the body that represents 90 per cent of the UK's bookmaking and gaming industry, said: "All of our member's betting shops are working to the Covid-secure guidance and adapting well to what that means.

"It hasn't deterred customers coming in to enjoy a flutter and we urge everyone to follow the guidance when they visit their local bookies."

More to read:

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