Customers must cover their faces in supermarkets after new rules were enforced at a string of stores yesterday.

The Lindo’s Group of Companies announced that people shopping at its stores in Devonshire and Warwick, as well as at Harrington Hundreds, in Smith’s, must wear “facial coverings” before being allowed inside.

The Facebook post said that masks “must completely cover both mouth and nose”.

The Supermart chain, with its store in Hamilton and its Somers Supermarket in St George’s, has also instituted the policy.

Lindo’s explained: “This is in the interest of staff and customer safety.

“We appreciate your understanding in these circumstances.”

Zach Moniz, the manager of the Lindo’s Group, said that the move was made to try to reduce spread of Covid-19 between staff and customers, and that the feedback from customers so far had been generally positive.

He added: “There is understanding from all parties. For my staff it is challenging to wear a mask all day, but we are coping.”

A spokesman for The MarketPlace chain said: “Customers will not be permitted entry without a face covering.”

The spokesman added that all employees had to cover their faces and had been given N95 masks.

Seth Stutzman, the president of The MarketPlace group, said that prevention of the spread of Covid-19 would need people to work together.

He added: “We have to protect ourselves and others that we are around.

“The safety of our associates and customers is our highest priority.”

William Cox, the president of The Waterfront Group, which includes Pembroke’s Miles Market, said that the store had made the same move last week.

He added: “Our goal has always been to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”

Mr Cox said that an ultraviolet air filtration system had also been installed to disinfect air supplied through the store’s air-conditioning system and that gloves were “readily available”.

He added that cashiers are also protected by Plexiglas screens. Mr Cox said: “Our goal is to make reasonable and reasoned decisions, and while we accept we can’t be perfect, we’re trying our best to ensure a safe environment for all.”