Moment Morrisons staff threaten to call police on customer not wearing a mask after he refused to wear yellow sticker to show he is medically exempt
- Employee tells customer he is required to wear an exemption lanyard or sticker
- Shopper says that he ‘shouldn’t have to explain’ his medical exemption to others
- People exempt from wearing mask don’t need to show exemption card of badge
- Morrisons has since confirmed it is investigating and that lanyards are optional
This is the moment Morrisons staff threaten to call police on a customer not wearing a mask after he refused to wear a yellow sticker to show he is medically exempt.
Footage shows a worker at the supermarket store telling the shopper that a new policy requires him to wear either a face covering, exemption lanyard or sticker.
Face masks are compulsory in shops and supermarkets across England and Wales, but are not required for those who are exempt or have a reasonable excuse.
The UK Government states that those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering do not need to show an exemption card or badge.
Morrisons has since confirmed it is investigating the incident and that lanyards are offered to medically exempt customers, but are not a requirement.
Footage shows a worker at the supermarket store telling the shopper that a new policy requires him to wear either a face covering, exemption lanyard or sticker
In the video, which was posted to social media, the security guard says: ‘It’s a new Morrisons policy we’re rolling out that everybody has to wear a mask or an exemption lanyard, or a sticker.
The customer replies: ‘I’m not conforming to no sticker rules, sorry.’
He adds: ‘I shouldn’t have to explain to other people really, I’ve got a medical exemption, that should be enough.
‘I shouldn’t have to declare my medical exemption. That’s a discrimination act there.’
The employee says: ‘You don’t have to declare it, it’s more to let other people know why you’re not wearing a mask’, to which the customer responds: ‘If they ask me I’ll tell them.
‘I don’t need a sticker do I. I’m perfectly capable of communicating that with somebody.’
Morrisons has since confirmed it is investigating the incident and that lanyards are offered to medically exempt customers, but are not a requirement
A female staff member is then seen walking past while speaking on the phone, and telling the security guard to switch his camera on
The security guard says: ‘It’s just a policy mate.’
The shopper then responds: Just a policy, it’s not even law. So she’s going to go phone the police now over a policy.
‘You can’t phone police over a policy, it’s a civil matter.’
Responding to the footage on Twitter, Morrisons said: ‘We can confirm that this is very much an isolated incident and not Morrisons policy. We’re following government guidelines to keep our colleagues and customers safe.
A female staff member is then seen walking past while speaking on the phone, and telling the security guard to switch his camera on.
The customer says ‘strange, strange times’ while turning away, later adding: ‘It’s a bit totalitarian would you say?’
The UK Government states that those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering do not need to show an exemption card or badge
‘Customers can inform our store colleagues when entering the store that they are medically exempt and to those customers that would like to take one, we offer a Sunflower Lanyard.
‘This is so that colleagues and customers inside the store are aware that the customer is medically exempt. We are currently investigating this matter.’
The Government states on its website: ‘Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and is not required by law.’
MailOnline has contacted Morrisons for further comment.